“Mixed level” of energy efficiency awareness among Kingstonians

Energy-efficient bulbs are the sole cost-cutting measure for most Kingston households. Photo: Rex

The level of awareness regarding energy-efficient solutions is mixed in the borough, while residents are not informed about special grants they are entitled to, a leading energy agency revealed.

Climate Energy discovered that cost-cutting measures among Kingston households are mostly limited to the use of energy-efficient lightbulbs, resulting in the waste of precious energy and – subsequently – money.

Nick Lomax, bid and development manager at Climate Energy, said: “Most households now have some energy-efficient lightbulbs, but some people do not like them, as they think they are too dim or take too long to warm up.”

“Generally not many residents had other energy saving measures, such as radiator panels.”

Mr Lomax also mentioned that energy efficient grants are quite complicated, leaving homeowners in the dark and in need of help from specialist advisors.

Climate Energy provided free energy saving advice to residents of the borough through the RE:NEW scheme, which was funded by the Mayor of London and supported by Kingston Council.

Lack of proper insulation has been another issue in the borough, with large, old houses posing the biggest challenge.

“We have referred around 10 percent of the households we’ve visited for loft insulation and around six per cent for cavity wall insulation,” Mr Lomax said.

“There are also some specific issues with large older family homes where the family has moved out leaving one or two older residents. These can be quite hard to heat.”

The RE:NEW scheme is now complete, after providing advice to nearly 1,600 households.

However, Mr Lomax did not rule out the possibility of another phase of RE:NEW.

Councillor Derek Osbourne, leader of the council and executive member with responsibility for environment and climate change, could not be reached for comment.