Insulation: Houseboats

Mr. Todd
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assistance his Department provides to owners of residential craft in respect of insulation and heating efficiency where the craft is used as a main residence.

Joan Ruddock
The opportunities to reduce the carbon emissions and heating bills of residential craft homes are limited due to the inherent lack of scope for key energy efficiency measures, such as cavity wall and loft insulation. Moreover, under the carbon emissions reduction target (CERT), energy suppliers are only obliged to promote energy saving measures to residences connected directly to main energy networks.

However, owners of residential craft are able to take advantage of CERT subsidies if purchasing certain DIY materials and energy saving technologies. Items such as insulation panels and low energy light bulbs frequently receive heavy subsidies under CERT in national retail outlets and are available at discounted rates to all consumers.