BSI announces new Kitemark to help reassure public over benefits of Green Deal

Press release - 25th June 2012

BSI is developing a new Kitemark for Energy Efficient Buildings (EBB) to address public uncertainty about the Green Deal Scheme.

In a survey of over 1,200 homeowners across the UK*, conducted in June 2012, the leading business standards company found that only one in five (20 per cent) homeowners will participate in the Green Deal. A further 60 per cent of respondents cited they were unsure, with 83 per cent of these stating this was due to them not knowing enough about the Green Deal to commit.

The new Kitemark Energy Efficient Buildings (EBB) is intended to enhance consumer understanding of the initiative, reassure them about the quality of the various suppliers, and give homeowners the confidence to take part in the scheme. The scheme is currently being piloted prior to implementation in time for the Green Deal launch later this year.

What is the Green Deal?

The Green Deal is a Government initiative that allows homeowners to purchase energy efficient insulation and technology for their properties without any upfront charge, the cost of which will be applied to energy bills and will be offset by future savings on energy use. However, despite being the biggest home improvement programme since the Second World War, BSI’s survey found that many consumers are unconvinced that it will save them money and are worried about the disruption that installing energy efficient products will cause.

This is not the first time BSI has surveyed customer confidence in the Green Deal having initially conducted research in January 2012**. Surprisingly, levels of consumer uncertainty and confusion over the initiative have remained significantly high over the six month period. This is despite the growing media profile of the Green Deal throughout 2012, reinforced by a speech from Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in May 2012, to reassure the public that the Government is working to help consumers understanding of the scheme. Nevertheless, it appears the message is still not getting through to homeowners.

Howard Kerr, Chief Executive of BSI said: “We have been monitoring consumer consciousness of the Green Deal since the beginning of 2012. These recent findings reveal a level of consumer unawareness surrounding the Green Deal, despite prominent media coverage of the scheme, illustrating the need for Government and business standards companies to work together to raise awareness. We believe the launch of a new Kitemark, a mark which the public recognises as a symbol of trust and reassurance, will help drive interest and take up of the scheme.

“Without credible and impartial endorsement, the Deal won’t achieve its ambitions to drive down homeowner energy bills, reduce carbon emissions and create jobs because it will be undermined by public confusion,” Kerr concluded.

The earlier research conducted in January 2012 also revealed that over half of those questioned trust BSI’s Kitemark above all other ‘marks’ available. It confirms a BSI Kitemark would provide homeowners with more confidence and reassure them that Green Deal advisors, installers and providers are of the highest standard.

Key findings

*Research conducted in June 2012

  • 61 per cent of respondents are ‘unsure’ if the Green Deal is a good initiative or not
  • 83 per cent are ‘unsure’ if they would participant in the scheme because they don’t know enough about it
  • Only 1 in 5 are set to participate in the Green Deal
  • 56 per cent of respondents would be more likely to use BSI Kitemark accredited products, advisors and installers
  • One third of respondents were worried about the disruption that installing Green Deal products would have to their homes

**Research conducted in January 2012

  • 55 per cent of respondents are ‘unsure’ if the Green Deal is a good initiative or not
  • 89 per cent are ‘unsure’ if they would participant in the scheme because they don’t know enough about it
  • 56 per cent of respondents would be more likely to use BSI Kitemark accredited products, advisors and installers
  • One third of respondents were worried about the disruption that installing Green Deal products would have to their homes

Research methodology

This study was carried out by TNS via OnLineBus, an Internet omnibus survey.

  • Sample size: A sample of 1,217 GB adults aged 16-64 that own their accommodation outright either with a mortgage or without a mortgage were interviewed. 
  • Interview: Interviewing was conducted by online self-completion from 10th – 16th January 2012 and 6th – 13th June 2012.
  • Weighting: The sample has been weighted to represent the adult population of Great Britain 16-64. 
  • Low bases: Where unweighted base figures are less than 100, data should be treated cautiously, as large margins of error are possible.