If homeowners are going to be able to reduce their utilities bills, they need to have a better understanding of the Green Deal, one group has said.

Consumer Focus highlighted that there are many unanswered questions over how the scheme will work in practice, which may be leaving some people out in the cold.

Liz Laine, energy policy expert at the group, commented: "At the moment Green Deal is neither carrot nor stick. It has to convince people that it is worth their while to take it up."

She emphasised that people need to be convinced that the scheme will have benefits for them, such as by enhancing their energy efficiency and lowering utility bills.

Independent property expert Malcolm Harrison recently said that many home buyers are not showing concern about the eco-friendliness of properties they view.

He emphasised that people tend to just see what they want to.