The Department of Energy and Climate Change recently published two consultation documents that supports their Heat and Energy Saving (HES) Strategy. The Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) consultation proposes a 20 per cent increase in the current energy efficiency scheme, expanding the help available to customers and offering real time displays and energy efficiency advice. This scheme currently means energy companies offer subsidised energy-efficiency measures such as loft and cavity wall insulation, high efficiency appliances, and low-energy light bulbs for consumers. The increase would mean more money available to extend the number and variety of measures. The HES consultation also proposes extending CERT to 2012.

A new Community Energy Savings Programme (CESP) will run in parallel with CERT. It will provide whole-house help to around 90,000 homes in low-income areas, backed by an expected £350 million in funding from energy suppliers and generators.