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Get Sust! Issue 37
Never heard of the YIMBYs? According to a new report from the Energy Saving Trust and the Open University, they are the new breed of householder who says “Yes In My Back Yard!” when asked whether they’d like renewable energy systems in their homes.
Researchers at the Open University (backed by funding from the University of East Anglia’s Carbon Connections Fund) investigated the attitudes of some 900 households to find out what financial, regulatory and logistical solutions would encourage a greater uptake of microgeneration heat technologies such as solar thermal hot water, ground-source heat pumps, wood-fuelled boilers, and automatic pellet-fed biomass room heaters or stoves.
Their study concluded that, to date, people have been put off from purchasing these technologies for reasons of cost, practicalities (e.g. lack of space), and perception (e.g. lack of confidence in the technology).
The report identifies the five key solutions that will stimulate a greater uptake of microgeneration heat technologies: independent advice and support; financial incentives (e.g. reduced council tax); improving the usability of the systems; better regulations; and independent monitoring to boost consumer confidence.
Learn more:
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• | Download the full report via www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/ |
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