Only four people have so far signed up to a flagship government scheme to make homes more energy-efficient.
The Green Deal, which was launched six months ago, was designed to provide measures such as home insulation.
The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) said just four households have "pending" green deal plans.
However, DECC said that with more finance providers in place, it expected a steady rise in numbers.
In total it said there had been 38,259 Green Deal assessments, where customers are given initial advice about what energy improvements they might be eligible for.
Of those, 241 households have confirmed they would like to proceed with work.
A spokesman for DECC told the BBC that "some" of the four people who have signed up to the Green Deal will have had building work completed, but he was not able to be more precise.
"A slow start should have been expected for the Green Deal, but it has clearly not fired consumers' imaginations," said Mike O'Connor of the watchdog Consumer Futures.
Under the Green Deal, householders take out loans to finance improvements such as double-glazing, or more efficient boilers.
BBC News - Only four people sign up for flagship Green Deal
Just what people needed in this debt ridden state we have, more debts that last for longer (10 to 25 years, and interest rates between 7% and 11%, oh and the setup fee). I do wonder how much this scheme cost to set up and run for the 4 people who have signed up. It costs between ?99 and ?150 to even get assessed.
Can't decide what's so green about it - in the end I would guess the cabbages who set it up thinking people would want to take on a debt for 25 years *shrug*
The Green Deal, which was launched six months ago, was designed to provide measures such as home insulation.
The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) said just four households have "pending" green deal plans.
However, DECC said that with more finance providers in place, it expected a steady rise in numbers.
In total it said there had been 38,259 Green Deal assessments, where customers are given initial advice about what energy improvements they might be eligible for.
Of those, 241 households have confirmed they would like to proceed with work.
A spokesman for DECC told the BBC that "some" of the four people who have signed up to the Green Deal will have had building work completed, but he was not able to be more precise.
"A slow start should have been expected for the Green Deal, but it has clearly not fired consumers' imaginations," said Mike O'Connor of the watchdog Consumer Futures.
Under the Green Deal, householders take out loans to finance improvements such as double-glazing, or more efficient boilers.
BBC News - Only four people sign up for flagship Green Deal
Just what people needed in this debt ridden state we have, more debts that last for longer (10 to 25 years, and interest rates between 7% and 11%, oh and the setup fee). I do wonder how much this scheme cost to set up and run for the 4 people who have signed up. It costs between ?99 and ?150 to even get assessed.
Can't decide what's so green about it - in the end I would guess the cabbages who set it up thinking people would want to take on a debt for 25 years *shrug*
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