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Energy: Off-grid Households

Answer

The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform leads on issues of electricity network transmission. Defra does not hold statistics for the number of houses off the electricity grid and has made no estimate of the average energy efficiency or carbon dioxide emissions from homes unconnected to mains electricity supply. The Government do not provide incentives for householders to manage their own energy needs. The requirements of Part L of the building regulations, which sets requirements for energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions, apply to all homes regardless of whether they are connected to mains energy supplies. Nevertheless, developers are reasonably free to determine how to meet the requirements of Part L. The Code for Sustainable Homes and the draft planning policy statement on climate change are designed to cut carbon emissions from new homes and promote low- and zero-carbon homes in the period up until 2016, when the Government have proposed that all new homes will be zero-carbon. It is estimated that there are around 50,000 private water supplies serving about 0.6 per cent of the population in England and Wales. No estimate has been made about the water efficiency of these dwellings, and they are not subject to the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999. The Government do not provide incentives to manage the use of non-mains-supplied water. They encourage all households to value water resources and to be aware of the need for water conservation. Where non-mains water supplies are used within households, it is vital that only wholesome drinking water is used for domestic purposes, in order to protect public health.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

4930; 694 c131WA

Session

2006-07

Notes

Answer received between Friday 27 July and Monday 30 July 2007.

Subjects

Conservation Housing Energy Energy supply Electricity Water Water supply Utilities Carbon emissions

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk