An amazing 98% of the British public says it does not fully understand the Green Deal and how it will work. What’s more, 62% have never even heard of the scheme, despite it being the government’s flagship energy saving initiative!
This is according to an Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) poll carried out by YouGov. Green Deal is due to be launched at the end of January 2013.
But after explaining Green Deal, 53% of people said they would be interested in participating in a scheme that ensured energy bills that were equal to or cheaper than their current bills, with no upfront costs. Which was basically what the new scheme offered.
Only 16% said they had no interest at all in participating in the Green Deal!
Steve Bratt, ECA chief executive, says: 
“The results from this survey demand urgent action from government and others to boost public awareness and interest in Green Deal. According to DECC, Green Deal could be Britain’s biggest home improvement project since the Second World War, yet the public seem totally oblivious to it!
“It could be a massive opportunity for the public and big and small businesses who want to take part. However, even when Green Deal is outlined to them, only half of respondents seem interested, despite the prospect of lower energy bills!”
Bratt suggests that much more was needed to be done to communicate the benefits of Green Deal to potential customers.
He underlined the fact that with continually rising energy prices, the public was ‘crying out for ways to get their energy bills under control’. The fact that they didn’t understand that Green Deal could help do this was extremely worrying. It was potentially a very good initiative, but would fail unless the public was switched onto it!
Bratt concludes: “Green Deal and those wanting to take part in it, need proactive government support. The extensive list of eligible energy saving and renewable energy measures can help everyone benefit from cheaper energy bills. But without proper backing, millions of people will lose out on making energy cost savings.”
The National Home Improvement Council always has been sceptical about Green Deal’s potential success, mainly due to the public’s lack of awareness, even though it is to be backed by a comparatively modest government marketing campaign. Yet it could help to get Britain building again!
The ECA warns, however, 
that every effort must be made to promote the scheme or ‘it will be too little, too late!’
Green Deal is supported by an ‘early adopter’ incentive. The first customers to take up the scheme will receive up to £1,000 cashback on their energy saving upgrades, further reducing loan payments.
More information: www.eca.co.uk/