Clearview North November 2013 - Issue 144 | Page 74

energyefficiency

CALL FOR CHANGE FOLLOWING
LATEST GREEN DEAL FIGURES
Following the recent
Government statistics on
Green Deal and ECO (Energy
Company Obligation), the
Glass and Glazing Federation
(GGF) remains adamant that
the Government has to change
Green Deal in order to make
it workable for the Glass and
Glazing Industry.
The latest Green Deal figures
were released on 19 September
2013. On seeing them Nigel Rees,

GGF Group Chief Executive
commented, “It is unfortunate
that our predictions for the last
few years are turning out to be
accurate and that Green Deal and
ECO is simply not working for
the glass and glazing industry. The
Government needs to act swiftly
to turn these figures around.”
Giles Willson, GGF Deputy
Chief Executive and Director of
Technical Affairs commented,
“The Green Deal is not only too

complicated and unattractive
to consumers but it is also not
necessarily improving energy
efficiency in homes. To have only
51 window installations out of
almost 195,000 measures shows
that Green Deal and ECO is
not delivering the whole house
approach. Is there really any
point in getting loft insulation
if the property is losing heat
through energy inefficient
windows?”

To read the report in full
visit: https://www.gov.uk/
government/publications/greendeal-and-energy-companyobligation-eco-monthlystatistics-september-2013

‘REGULATE AND INCENTIVISE’ FOR
BETTER ENERGY EFFICIENCY
More than half of small building firms back a
requirement by government on homeowners
to make energy-efficiency improvements
when they extend their home. This would
result in more work for their business,
as long as any regulation was introduced
alongside financial incentives to help pay for
the work.
Brian Berry, the Chief Executive of the
Federation of Master Builders (FMB), said:
“Following a thorough consultation with FMB
member firms, we believe the Government
should re-evaluate the need for a consequential

improvements regulation, but only alongside
a significant financial incentive for energy
efficiency. This could take the form of a
reduction in VAT on home renovation and
repair, variable stamp duty or variable council
tax.”

‘Simply not attractive’
Berry continued: “We still want to see
government introduce financial incentives to
increase uptake of the Green Deal. At present,
the Green Deal is simply not attractive to most

people. The Green Deal must not be left to
fail, which is why additional incentives are
needed.”
Berry added: “Further to that, government
must invest the money collected via carbon
taxes in a publicly funded retrofit programme.
Low-income households cannot afford to
retrofit their own home and are unlikely to sign
up to a scheme like the Green Deal. Therefore
government must commit to a public spending
programme to lift significantly more households
out of fuel poverty and support those who are
unable to pay for this work.”

REINVENTING THE HOUSE OF THE FUTURE
BRE’s pioneering future-focused Integer
House, built 15 years ago, has undergone
an extensive retrofit and renamed The Smart
Home. Through a joint BRE and British
Gas project, it has been re-equipped with
a host of ultra energy-efficient features
and functions, making it super fit for the
future.
Using cutting-edge technology, design and
building techniques, the innovative retrofit
has made the house 50% more energy efficient
and halved its carbon emissions, upgrading it
from an E to an A/B EPC rating. The house
has a new-to-market solar thermal system,
and an integrated PV array has been installed

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NOV 2013

into the conservatory glazing to generate most
of the home’s energy requirements and shade
clear glass against excess heat.
Doors and windows have been replaced with
the latest uPVC double glazing incorporating
recycled uPVC. The very latest Velux windows
have been installed, and the front door
showcases new generation electronic locking,
including a car style remote key.
Kerry Pollard MP said “Energy costs are at
the forefront of people’s minds now and this
issue is moving right up the political agenda.
The Smart Home initiative is a major step
forward in securing renewable energy and a
most exciting development for BRE.”

To read more, visit www.clearview-uk.com