Green deal doomed to failure says climate change committee
21 January 2012
According to the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) the UK Government’s new Green Deal is likely to fail. The deal, which aims to allow families to pay for energy-saving improvements to their homes using the money saved on energy bills, was intended to help the coalition keep its promise to be the “greenest ever” government.
However the CCC says that the scheme will only be able to reach between two and three million homes, 14-21% of the government’s expectations.
The deal is scheduled to commence from October 2012, which allowed for improvements such as double glazing and cavity wall insulation to be paid for with payments that worked out as less than the savings homes would make from those improvements. However the deal will remove energy suppliers’ legal obligation to help customers improve energy efficiency in the home.
Chief Executive of the CCC, David Kennedy, said: “The proposal is to take away that obligation and say, ‘let’s leave it to the market’. We think there is a significant risk in leaving it to the market, as that has never worked anywhere in the world and is unlikely to happen in the UK. We are talking about the transformation of the entire building stock of this country”.
“There is going to be a complete collapse in the insulation market. We will see an 80% drop in cavity walls being filled,” said Andrew Warren of the Association for the Conservation of Energy.
Window energy-rating scheme launched for 2012
18 January 2012
At the beginning of the New Year, the BFRC has launched a new window energy-rating scheme designed especially for British manufacturers of insulated glass units. By covering multiple product combinations under a Simplified Energy Licence or SEL, the new scheme aims to give manufacturers added flexibility.
The idea is that the SEL will combine the benefits of the window energy-rating system’s simplicity and flexibility with the benefits of being audited and controlled by the BFRC. This means that a range of insulated glass units from a single manufacturer can be covered by the BFRC A to C rating system.
“This latest scheme in the family of BFRC licence products will extend usage of BFRC labelling to more and more window products,” said Graham Hinett, CEO of the BFRC. “It gives IGU manufacturers the flexibility and control they need but at the same time allows us to maintain quality control which is vital for consumer confidence.”
The manufacturers of insulated glass units will decide on the scope of their own licence. They will do this by building a matrix using a product’s window energy-rating banding and system frame type. By doing this, manufacturers will be able to couple the varying specifications of their products with any possible frame variations. However, the new system will not allow profile suits from different system houses to be mixed.
Network Veka chosen for Green Deal assessment
09 January 2012
Network Veka has been selected to be one of the 33 national organisations to be assessed under the Green Deal initiative. UKAS, the organisation that will be assessing all such bodies for the Department of Energy and Climate Change, announced Network Veka’s addition to the list.
The final details of the Green Deal, which is set to launch later in 2012, are still waiting to be finalised. The scheme is designed to allow families to improve the energy efficiency of their homes by negating the need for them to pay for improvements up front. Instead, families can take a loan out that will allow them to pay for the improvements with the savings they make on their energy bills. However any installers used to replace windows under the Green Deal will have to be accredited by the organisations on the UKAS list.
John Ogilvie, managing director of Network Veka, said: “The Green Deal is likely to have a major influence on the way people look at improving their home. Our acceptance as part of that initiative will make it quicker and easier for our installer members to take part themselves and apply for certification.
“They already enjoy facilities such as our ‘Assure’ self-certification scheme; the Green Deal accreditation will be one more way that Network Veka makes life a little easier for its members.”
GGF to receive new president
06 January 2012
Phil Brown will be stepping down as president of the Glass and Glazing Federation after serving for two years in the role. Brown took on the position in January 2010, but will now be replaced by Mark Warren of Lister Trade Frames.
Brown said of the changeover, “The appointment of a public affairs agency was a big and somewhat daunting step to take, but it has resulted in a greatly enhanced profile for the GGF and the industry within political circles. Prior to this appointment, many in Government had failed to appreciate the benefits, notably in terms of energy and CO2 savings, of energy efficient windows and doors. With Green Deal on the horizon the Federation is trying to overcome the uncertainties around Green Deal to ensure it creates opportunities for all of our members”
Brown will remain on the board for the GGF for another two years. Talking about his successor, Brown said that, “Having worked with Mark for a few years, I welcome his appointment as President. I have no doubt he is up to the challenges ahead both in the GGF and in the industry.”
Mark Warren commented that, “Phil has brought the Federation a long way in a relatively short period of time. He’s a hard act to follow but I aim to do my best to maintain and complete the good work Phil has started in the last two years.”
Everest could be sold for £100 million
03 January 2012
The prestigious double glazing company, Everest, is looking for a buyer. It is being predicted that the company could eventually be sold for anywhere between £50 million and £100 million.
Everest is one of the better known names in the double glazing industry. Founded in 1965, over the years the company has expanded its range from double glazing to also provide kitchens, security systems, roofline products such as cladding and guttering, and conservatories. Since its foundation the glazing firm has served over 2 million customers. Everest is also notable for being one of the founding members of the Glass and Glazing Federation.
Today Everest services the entirety of the UK, with over 900 employees, 700 installation staff and 900 sales consultants. It has manufacturing sites in both Treherbert in Wales and Sittingbourne in Kent, as well as headquarters in Hertfordshiree.
The company is currently owned by Brian Kennedy, a Cheshire businessman who also owns the Sale Sharks rugby club. Kennedy bought Everest from Caradon in 1999, but has now appointed the corporate finance firm Clearwater to find a new owner for the company.
Kennedy holds a 42% share in Home Improvement Group Holdings, the parent company that ultimately owns Everest.