Subscribe now

Letter: Savings racket

Published 2 April 2014

From Nick Hunn

Further to Reg Platt’s discussion of what he claims is the rising cost of energy, and whether this makes tackling emissions unaffordable, (15 March, p 28), we should realise that cutting domestic energy use has become a massive industry.

Last year in the US, almost $7 billion was spent on energy efficiency schemes, covering everything from insulation to demand management. The cost is passed on to consumers through their energy bills. None of these schemes requires any evidence that they succeed in reducing energy use.

Energy efficiency and consumer education are important, but they need to be based on good science and evidence, not industry press releases.
London, UK

Issue no. 2963 published 5 April 2014

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up
Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop