Citing a 2020 study analysis, it found that a UK home with an indoor temperature of 20C and an outdoor temperature of 0C lost an average of 3C after five hours – up to three times that of homes in European countries such as Germany. Research from the Institute for Government (IFG) found that the UK fared worse in terms of the energy efficiency of its homes than countries across Europe with a range of climates. Britain’s commitment to Instead, it is being urged to copy successful policies in Germany and elsewhere to improve the energy efficiency of UK homes to reduce demand.
While Truss pointed to the fracking and expansion of North Sea fossil fuels as a way to increase energy supplies, he has already been warned that it would fail to dent prices – while tackling the climate crisis. There is further concern that the poorest families will need additional support, while even relatively short-term aid to businesses will be mobilized by business groups in the coming weeks. Truss’s energy package, which is likely to define his premiership, is already under pressure for lack of detail. Experts are warning that while Liz Truss has bought government time with her £100bn-plus package to cap energy bills, expensive and unsustainable plans will be needed until homes are revamped and demand slackens. The UK ranks the worst in Europe for the energy efficiency of its homes, according to new research outlining the urgent need to reduce the amount of heat being wasted.
Britain will plunge into an even worse energy crisis in a year’s time without immediate plans to repair leaking homes and dramatically reduce gas demand, ministers have warned.