Strategy says home renovations must be green

Home owners could be forced to improve the energy efficiency of their homes when carrying out renovation works.

A government energy strategy to be launched this week proposes the introduction of grants and loans to increase the take-up of renewable energy as well as legislation to outlaw inefficient appliances such as oil-fired boilers.

The Daily Telegraph reports the government’s advisors are concerned about the amount of energy being wasted heating homes that are badly insulated.

The report says that a government subsidy that covered half the costs of installing a wind turbine could lead to more than 60,000 homes installing the devices.

The home owners could then make money back by selling excess power to the national grid.

The strategy is just a consultation paper but commentators believe ministers will approve most of the proposals to meet European targets on green energy.