Energy efficiency vital to deliver cheap energy - 25/02/2009

Industry watchdog Consumer Focus has reiterated the importance of energy efficiency in helping deliver cheap energy prices across the UK, reports lowcarboneconomy.com.

The organisation criticised the government for failing to focus on energy efficiency more quickly as this currently accounts for only one per cent of initiatives designed to improve access to cheap energy from energy suppliers.

Utilising energy-efficient technology in the home can produce savings of up to 70 per cent, according to the body.

Jonathon Stearn, a campaigner with Consumer Focus, told the website: "We think that one of the main reasons they (the government) haven't been able to achieve their thresholds is because they haven't put energy efficiency as the central element of any target."

Mr Stearn added that energy efficiency needed to be adopted as one of the primary policies in reducing the impact of last year's price rises.

Installing measures such as cavity wall and loft insulation can help to reduce prices, while the decision to switch energy companies could also produce savings for homeowners.

Mark Todd, of energyhelpline.com, said: "Customers should do the upmost to make sure their energy prices stay down. Switching your energy to a dual fuel tariff or to an online option and paying via direct debit is the cheapest way to pay for your bills."

If you want to find out more about gas and electricity and how you could save up to £378 in minutes, click here.