Calor has claimed that off gas grid consumers looking to improve their energy efficiency are being "ignored" by the government and excluded from help under FiTs, the Energy Companies Obligation (ECO) and the Green Deal. UPDATED: DECC responds.
The company believes the "latest insult" to the countryside is the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund (GDHIF). The Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) have confirmed that only natural gas boilers requiring replacement will be included in the cashback scheme. Approximately 1.3 million households will be excluded - 1.1 million using oil boilers and 200,000 using LPG boilers - meaning many off-grid rural housholders are not eligible for GDHIF.
All fuel types are eligible under the Affordable Warmth criteria of ECO, but Calor has said very few ECO obligated suppliers are funding heating oil or LPG boiler repairs or replacement due to high costs and additional complexities.
The government recently published the results of DECC’s consultation on ECO which were expected to offer some respite for the off gas grid householder. The DECC reduced targets and broadened eligibility criteria, enabling the 'Big 6' to reach their - now lower - targets more easily, rather than targeting assistance to those in rural areas.
A spokesperson from Calor said: "The government have yet again chosen to punish people who live in the countryside. Rural residents have been overlooked by every scheme DECC has introduced to supposedly help people make their households more energy efficient.
Off gas grid householders in the countryside are being denied the same opportunities available to urban dwellers despite paying for them through their energy bills."
"Oil boilers and LPG boilers have not been included on the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund as they would undermine the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). The Green Deal Home Improvement Fund is open to all households in England and Wales, including off-gas grid, who want to make energy efficient home improvements."
"Secondly, regarding the Affordable Warmth criteria for ECO, we’ve announced changes to the ECO scheme to make sure that it helps people who aren’t connected to the gas grid."
Image © shutterstock/VaclavVolrab
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