The Manx government is trying to promote eco-friendly homes to help to cut fuel bills.
The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, says it’s now encouraging house-builders to construct eco-friendly properties and buyers to invest in them.
A report from the Cabinet Office in March revealed 9.9 per cent of households in the island suffer fuel poverty. It highlighted the need to improve the thermal efficiency of homes.
Richard Ronan MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, and Ralph Peake MHK, the department member whose remit includes environment, safety and health, spent a day touring examples of European housing technology in Manchester and Lancaster.
‘The technology is increasingly being adopted across the UK in order to reduce property energy consumption and heating bills,’ said Mr Peake.
‘There is great scope for us to increase the use of this type of technology on the Isle of Man as the skills and materials become more readily available. Property is responsible for around 30 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions on the island, so it’s an area where everybody can win.
‘We met some of the properties’ occupants, who spoke of the differences it has made to their lives and their pockets.
‘It is important that we create a situation where local house-builders and householders are confident investing in this technology.’
Tynwald last year approved DEFA policies on climate challenges and the department is working on a strategy to reduce harmful emissions, which it will present to Tynwald in July.
Mr Peake said: ‘This exciting technology provides significant benefits for the residents, who are now saving around 80 to 90 per cent of their previous heating bills while reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and enjoying a better living environment.
‘We saw community heating and hydro-electric schemes plus near zero emissions housing, much of which is not currently in place on the island. We will incorporate our findings into the strategy we present to Tynwald.’