Utilita calls for a simpler approach to energy saving

Utilita-welcomes moves by Scottish and Southern to encourage all its domestic energy customers to save energy but warns that householders could be turned off such schemes if the 'rewards' on offer come at too high a cost or can only be used to pay for energy saving gear sourced through 'tied' arrangements.

Utilita's Chief Executive, David Casale, says, " Scottish and Southern must be congratulated for realising that they need to do more to enable every customer to use less energy. We are flattered to see a competitor employ the same ideas and terminology that we've used for all our customers as a core facet of our business. The Utilita planetpoints scheme (formerly called "energy saving credits") has been in operation for more than 2 years.

"But we are disappointed to see them take an approach that offers homeowners credits for reducing energy consumption by 10 per cent only once they spend £450 on low-energy appliances or loft insulation, and that ties them to an in-house scheme to redeem their credits."

"Most households now want to make more effort to cut their energy use, no only to cut their energy bills but to help save the planet. At Utilita we believe it is preferable - and have shown it is possible - to help every customer do this by using a simple approach. We don't require our customers to shell out up front on better appliances or loft insulation that they must source through us before they can earn 'rewards' to use on further energy saving kit. We give them rewards from day one as an incentive to reduce their usage."