The National Home Energy Rating (NHER) scheme for energy assessors has welcomed this week's announcement of support for homebuyers wanting to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Responding to the announcement from Housing Minister Yvette Cooper, Brian Scannell, Managing Director of National Energy Services, says: 'Every Home Information Pack will contain an energy performance certificate with targeted energy saving recommendations that will help lower fuel bills and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

'The recommendations for homes that receive an E, F or G energy rating are generally very cost-effective and result in real savings for the homeowner.

For example, cavity wall insulation is one of the best things you can do.

It can reduce heat loss through the wall by 60% and it can pay for itself in less than two years.

And yet, of the 15 million homes with cavity walls, a staggering 10 million or so still don't have any insulation in them.

'For a typical 1930s three bedroom semi-detached home, installing low cost measures such as loft insulation, a good fitting hot water cylinder and cavity wall insulation will save the householder GBP360 a year in fuel costs and will cut nearly 3 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.

Taking this action would be reflected in their home's energy rating too - the home would move from an and#145;F' rating to a and#145;D' rating.

'If such improvements are widely implemented, we will see an enormous difference in our efforts to reduce carbon emissions across England and Wales.' Brian Scannell added that it is now unlikely that there will be a shortage of qualified energy assessors when HIPs become mandatory on 1st June.

'Becoming a domestic energy assessor requires undergoing rigorous training and assessment - but we are delighted by the numbers coming forward.

NHER's training and assessment programme for energy assessors is signing up about 80 new candidates every week.

We are confident that there will be enough energy assessors to satisfy market demand.'