Renewable Heat Technologies Leaving Consumers Cold

LONDON, March 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

• Research from the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors shows that 73% of consumers are unable to name any environmental heat technologies without prompting
• 39% of homeowners couldn't think of a benefit of renewable heat technology over a traditional heating system
• The key driver to installing a renewable heat technology is reduced energy bills (69%) rather than incentives available to offset installation costs (13%)

Recent findings from a poll of 1,000 homeowners across England and Wales by the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors have found that campaigns by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and efforts to encourage consumers to 'go green' are failing to get the message across about the benefits of renewable energy. Only 27% of respondents could name one environmental heat technology, of which solar thermal panels were the most recognised with a response rate of 18%, wind turbines came next with 4% and the third named is tidal power (2%).

The DECC's flagship Green Deal scheme encourages consumers to make energy-saving improvements to homes and the Home Improvement Fund (GDHIF) offers cash back for installing two Government approved measures; however the research found that only 13% of respondents indicated this would be a motivating factor. In fact 69% of people are more likely to install to make long-term savings on their energy bills.

Equally, consumers appear to be unsure about the benefits of renewable energy over a traditional heating system. Nearly 4 in 10 respondents (39%) were unable to identify any benefit to switching to a new technology. Of those who could, common reasons included lowering bills, better for the environment, less reliance on fossil fuel and the positives of being 'off grid'.

As a leading voice of the plumbing and heating industry, the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC) has long been campaigning for more clarity and simplicity of Green schemes, which are currently confusing for consumers and installers alike. In particular, constant changes to GDHIF funding availability and applicable measures are causing a lack of consumer confidence in advice professional installers are providing and in the Green Deal scheme.

John Thompson, Chief Executive at APHC commented: "This research clearly shows that despite efforts to encourage homeowners to look at alternative sources of heating, awareness of these technologies is low. Incentivising people to make their homes warmer and more energy efficient is certainly to be encouraged but a longer-term plan is needed to increase participation by whatever party is in power after the general election."

Consumers can easily find a qualified local plumbing and heating engineer using the APHC's online search facility and consumer focused plumbing and heating news from APHC can be found at http://www.FindAQualityPlumber.co.uk

Notes to Editor:  

• All figures quoted, unless otherwise stated, are from research undertaken by Insight Track Ltd on behalf of APHC. Fieldwork was undertaken in November 2014 of 1,000 homeowners across England and Wales.

For further press information on APHC please contact Anna Carrington on +44-(0)1379-674030 or email anna.carrington@armstrong-pr.co.uk