Experts have warned that temperatures could rise to dangerous levels in some homes that have been insulated under the Government's Green Deal.
The Green Deal provides loans for the installation of energy-saving measures in people's homes which will not only reduce energy use and protect the environment, but save on winter fuel bills. However, there is a worry that temperatures in Green Deal Homes could reach dangerous levels during summer heatwaves.
Professor Chris Goodier of Loughborough University said that whilst it is vital that our homes are better insulated to meet carbon emissions targets, the risk of overheating has been overlooked. "Overheating is like the little boy at the back of the class waving his hand. It is forgotten about because the other challenges are so big."
Research by a group of leading engineering and climate change experts, which was published last year, highlighted the possibility that Green Deal measures could create overheating. Now, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has issued new guidance to Green Deal suppliers to help reduce the potential risk from installing energy efficiency measures.
DECC said that it is "working with experts and other Government departments to understand the potential risk of overheating in retrofitted homes and ensure that the energy efficiency supply chain, including those working within the Green Deal, are aware and guidance is provided on homes which are most likely to be vulnerable and what steps could be taken to minimise any risk of overheating."
However, figures show that 38,259 Green Deal assessments have been carried out since the launch of the Green Deal but only 241 households have confirmed that they would like to proceed with the work, and only four people have signed up.
