Supporting new lenders to launch long-term fixed rates to cover the cost of energy efficiency retro-fits, hiking stamp duty on second homes and offering downsizing incentives are among the policies recommended in a housing market white paper.
Hot water pipes can be connected to almost any heat source, and while pricey to install, networks like this could be appealing to the 1.1 million, predominantly rural, homes off the gas grid and still dependent on oil.