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The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is now consulting on its Heat and Energy Saving Strategy document, launched last month by energy secretary Ed Miliband. One of the proposals is for 7 million homes to receive a heat and energy 鈥渞efurbishment鈥� in a bid to cut household carbon emissions by a third by 2020.

UK households would receive help to reduce their fuel bills and access low-carbon heat and power as part of the government鈥檚 target of cutting total emissions by 80% by 2050.

According to the proposals, all homes will have access to whole house improvements by 2030, cavity wall and loft insulation will be available for all suitable properties by 2015 and steps will be taken to encourage combined heat and power and improved use of surplus heat through carbon pricing mechanisms.

Miliband said: 鈥淲asted energy is costing families on average 拢300 a year, and more than a quarter of all our emissions are from our homes.

鈥淓nergy efficiency and low-carbon energy are the fairest routes to curbing emissions, saving money for families, improving our energy security and insulating us from volatile fossil fuel prices.

鈥淓very home must be able to access the help and technology it needs, whether it be the installation of a ground or air source heat pump, solar-heating, solid wall insulation, or access to a district heating scheme.鈥�

The consultation process runs until 8 May.