The elderly and households with a low overall income should be made aware of the potential benefits of an energy efficient home, it has been suggested.

Brian Berry, director of external affairs at the Federation of Master Builders, observes that many such people live in "pure poverty".

He argues that financial incentives - such as reduced stamp duty - could encourage many Britons to undertake the improvements required to make their homes more ecologically sound.

One means of funding such efforts could be to obtain a homeowner loan, which releases some of the equity held in property to provide spending money for a variety of reasons.

"If all our homes were upgraded to a sufficient standard it means that a lot of elderly people wouldn't be dying of hypothermia every year," Mr Berry comments.

By carrying out such upgrades - potentially paid for via a homeowner loan - the number of children living in damp conditions could also be reduced, he concludes.ADNFCR-1287-ID-18363268-ADNFCR

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