Retrofitting 'is low carbon solution'

Retrofitting properties in the UK could be a way to meet the government's low carbon housing targets, it has been claimed.

British Gas has claimed that regulations to ensure that eco features are implemented in new houses will only achieve around seven per cent of CO2 savings by 2020, whereas the government has pledged to reduce CO2 emissions by 60 per cent by 2050.

The Telegraph reports that the utility has called for increased retrofitting, or improving the UK's existing housing stock along environmental lines.

Measures that could be taken include installing insulation in cavity walls and lofts.

"For every £3 we spend heating our homes £1 is wasted because of poor insulation," said Phil Bentley, managing director at British Gas.

"And whilst strict standards on new build are needed, most of the energy being consumed is in the ageing homes we live in today."

The utility has launched Green Streets, an initiative to encourage householders to adopt greener lifestyles, which has seen a family from one street in Edinburgh reduce their energy consumption by 47 per cent.