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Making oil-heated homes more energy efficient

The OFTEC team joins the campaign to fight fuel poverty. Last winter (2012/13) there were 18,200 excess winter death in the UK, the majority of which were caused by living in cold condition.
The OFTEC team joins the campaign to fight fuel poverty. Last winter (2012/13) there were 18,200 excess winter death in the UK, the majority of which were caused by living in cold condition.
Approximately 80% of oil heated homes have the worst Energy Performance Certificate ratings of F and G.  In Cold Homes Week, OFTEC once again calls for improvements in energy efficiency.
Run by the Energy Bill Revolution (EBR), Cold Homes Week brings together more than 200 businesses, charities and organisations in support of ending fuel poverty.
This week OFTEC will write to the major political parties and rural MPs to highlight the issue and urge for more practical measures to form part of their election manifestos.
WANTED – better insulation and a boiler scrappage scheme
“Even though oil prices have plummeted in recent months to a four-year low, fuel poverty is still more likely in oil-heated households,” says OFTEC director general Jeremy Hawksley.  “This is due to poor insulation levels and the high number of old, inefficient boilers still in use.
“We are urging all the political parties to add a generous boiler scrappage scheme covering all condensing types, to their manifestos ahead of the general election. Also to provide particular support to better insulate rural homes which tend to be least energy efficient.”
According to EBR, one of the main problems is that UK homes are amongst the least energy efficient in Europe, resulting in higher energy bills. As the majority of oil using homes are older, rural properties with the worst Energy Performance Certificate ratings of F and G – approximately 80% of oil heated homes in England fall into this category – OFTEC is keen to support the cause.
“Simply upgrading to a modern condensing boiler could see average fuel bills cut by as much as 50% compared to this time last year, with better insulation measures resulting in even greater savings. Fuel poverty is an urgent issue which needs to be tackled now.”
OFTEC has also teamed up with Age UK to produce a booklet for older people, who are most at risk, to help them keep warm and well during the winter.  www.oilsave.org.uk

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