Most homeowners assume that advice on environmental improvements from building contractors is aimed at getting more work and cannot be trusted.
A mere one in six would be confident in the advice given by tradespeople, according to a survey conducted for the Energy Saving Trust (EST).
Yet the poll also found that more than 80% of tradespeople want to provide money-saving advice to customers on how to cut heating bills by doing the work at the same time as other home improvements.
Tradespeople 'want to help'
The survey was carried out to mark the beginning of the EST's Building in the Dark campaign, aimed at raising environmental skills and knowledge amongst tradespeople.
This is being backed by the creation of new quality standards and training programmes on energy efficiency for people employed in the housing sector. The Trust, a not-for-profit agency promoting energy efficiency, was established by the Government and is financed by the energy industry.
Only 17% of survey respondents would trust the advice of tradespeople doing work on their home to make energy efficiency improvements at the same time. Some 56% would suspect the contractor was trying to get extra work.
But while the vast majority of tradespeople (80%) want to be trusted by homeowners to give energy conservation advice, most say that to do so they want clearer explanations of current environmental legislation and better guidance on future regulatory changes.
Need to retro-fit existing properties
The Energy Saving Trust argues that the best way for homeowners to achieve cost savings on their energy consumption is to make improvements when contractors are in anyway.
Philip Sellwood, chief executive of the Energy Saving Trust, says: "If the national target of an 80% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050 is to be met it is vital we tackle the lack of energy efficiency in our existing housing stock.
"We simply must act now. Latest figures show that £23.9 billion is spent on repair, maintenance and improvement works on the UK housing stock and some of this work represents a missed opportunity to make green improvements."
Plea for VAT cut on home improvements
The Federation of Master Builders believes, in addition, there must be stronger incentives - including a cut in VAT on home improvements to 5%. The European Union has just given the UK government permission to do this, if it wishes to.
To help homeowners get the most from their contractors, the Energy Saving Trust has just published guidance on questions to ask tradespeople, backed by information on the cost savings that can be achieved and the government grants that may be available to assist in paying for improvements.
Energy Performance Certificates – Keep Or Scrap?
One example provided by the guidance is that improved loft insulation may cost as little as £250, attract a government grant and save over £200 a year in reduced energy bills.
The guidance also points out that reduced energy consumption can lead to a higher rating on a home's Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), making it more saleable.
However, one of the largest assessors of EPCs - WSP Environment & Energy - says that the commissioning of EPCs is a waste of money, and is calling on the Government to either make the process more robust, or to scrap EPCs.
EPCs were introduced by the European Union to drive improved energy performance. But WSP believes that too many assessors are now entering the market and conducting surveys that are too superficial and producing results of little value. The process, says WSP, has become "a race to the bottom."
WSP believes that there should be a rigorous accreditation system to determine who can conduct EPCs, with EPC recommendations becoming mandatory on property owners.