Energy Act comes to law

The Energy Act to improve energy efficiency in residential homes came to law today, the Department for Energy and Cimate Change (DECC) has said.

DECC also announced that from April 2018, it will be illegal to rent out a house or business premise which has less than ‘E’ energy efficiency rating.

The key elements of the Energy Act will remove the upfront cost of energy efficiency measures like loft, cavity and external wall insulation, draught proofing, energy efficiency, glazing and boilers. DECC said that the energy saving work will be repaid over time through a charge on the home’s energy bill.

• Britvic announces £8 million project to improve energy efficiency and cut carbon emissions by 50%

“The coalition is doing all it can to bear down on energy prices, but insulation will provide the long-term help to manage bills,” energy and climate change secretary Chris Huhne said.

DECC also said that the energy act would set in stone the legal framework for the “Green Deal”, which will be launched in autumn next year.

“The Green Deal will help people insulate against rising energy prices, creating homes which are warmer and cheaper to run,” DECC said.

Climate change minister Greg Barker said that the Green Deal is “expected to attract capital investment of up to £15bn in the residential sector alone by the end of this decade and at its peak support around 250,000 jobs.”

The Act aims to improve at least 682,000 privately rented homes.