600 homes less efficient than a 1960s house

Contributing to the problem is the fact that 1,300 homes in the area have no loft insulation; 9,500 have no wall insulation; and 3,400 have no double glazing.

Social Development Minister Alex Attwood provided the details in response to a query from Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney. Mr Attwood took the figures from the Home Energy Conservation Report sourced from the 2009 House Condition Survey, which was based on a sample of approximately 3,000 properties across Northern Ireland.

He advised: “The figures suggest that, in the Derry City and Strabane area, approximately 1,300 have no loft insulation, 9,500 have no wall insulation and 3,400 have no double glazing.”

He also advised 600 homes in the area have a Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) energy rating - a calculation of a building’s energy efficiency - of less than 20.

Ratings are scored on a scale from 1 to 100 where 1 is the worst and 100 will indicate no heating/hot water cost.

Mr Attwood said: “The figures suggest that, in the Derry City and Strabane area, approximately 600 properties had a SAP rating of less than 20.

“As the House Condition Survey is a sample survey the figures provided are estimates. Through the Housing Executive and the Warm Homes Scheme, progress is being made on improving energy efficiency. It is hoped to protect these budgets going forward. In addition, I have argued for Green New Deal and it has been agreed that my Department will lead on working up the proposal. All of this confirms my Department’s commitment to energy efficiency and addresses Fuel Poverty.”