Water coalition calls for Green Homes Grants retrofit scheme to include water efficiency measures

The steering group for the UK Water Efficiency Strategy and the independent water efficiency campaigning organisation Waterwise have joined forces to urge the Energy Secretary, The Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, to include water efficiency measures that save energy in the government’s new Green Homes Grants retrofit scheme.

The Green Homes Grant excludes water efficiency measures that would reduce the energy and carbon associated with heating water in the home.

Daniel Johns, chair of the steering group for the UK Water Efficiency Strategy said:

‘Heating water for showers and hot taps accounts for eight times more greenhouse gas emissions than the entire water industry. Alongside the water industry’s commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2030, we need help from the government to tackle emissions from water use in the home. Including water-efficient taps and showers in the Green Homes Grants and other retrofit schemes would be a simple step to help households save water, save energy, and save money.’

A joint letter sent by Daniel Johns and Nicci Russell, Managing Director of Waterwise to the Energy Secretary has flagged up the fact that heating water, for example for showers and hot taps, is the second largest source of household greenhouse gas emissions after space heating, accounting for 17% of home energy use.