Non energy-efficient homes on the slide
22 July 2010
There has been a slight drop in the number of the UK's most energy inefficient homes, a new study by the Energy Saving Trust has said.
According to the report, 17% of properties held energy performance certificates in the F or G bands in 2008, down from 22% two years earlier.
Of these, the majority could be improved significantly with double or secondary glazing, loft insulation and new boilers, costing on average less than £3,000.
However, the study showed that around 15% of the least efficient homes would need £5,000 or more to lift them out of the bottom rating. In the private rented sector, these properties accounted for 33% of the properties in the lowest energy efficiency categories.
"On the whole our study is good news,” said spokesman David Weatherall. “Most F and G-rated homes can be improved very cost effectively, for less than £3,000. That's less than 2% of the sale prices of the average UK home."
He added: "For anyone about to sell their home with an old boiler or lacking full loft and cavity wall insulation, we'd strongly advise you not to take the risk of getting a very poor energy rating and potentially a lower sale price.”
This week, it emerged that the government is considering raising stamp duty (link to other story?) on all homes with an F or G rating as part of its proposed £90 billion Green Deal scheme.
Green building costs 'not prohibitive'
21 July 2010
The cost of carrying out home improvements that can benefit the environment and lower household bills is not as expensive as it once was, one commentator has said.
Michael Holmes, editor-in-chief of Real Homes magazine and presenter of Channel 5's I Own Britain's Best Home, said there was a misconception in the outlay needed to fit energy saving measures.
While fitting new windows are traditionally one of the more expensive, Holmes explained that secondary glazing was a more affordable alternative to double glazing, which on average costs in the region of £2,000 per household.
“A whole house can be done for as little as £700, with savings of around 40% to your energy bill each year,” he said.
He added that there are also a number of other "simple and inexpensive" measures that can make a big difference to both quality of life and the wider community.
"Effective roof insulation" could provide 15 to 20% savings on an energy bill per year – enough to pay for itself within two or three years – while a new boiler and using leftover insulation materials to wrap around pipes and water tanks could also help households cut costs further.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, 22 % of England's homes – around 3.8 million – were in the bottom two bands for energy performance - F and G - in 2008.
Could double glazing cut your stamp duty?
18 July 2010
Plans being considered by the government could see home buyers pay thousands more in stamp duty if their property fails to meet strict new energy efficiency criteria.
The proposals, which aim to help the UK dramatically cut its greenhouse gas emissions, will target homes leaking energy through draughty windows, bad insulation and old boilers. Initially 3.8 million homes will be eligible, all of which hold a rating below band E for efficiency, although this is expected to be widened significantly after the program's launch.
Since October, every property built, sold or rented out has required an energy performance certificate, which are graded from A-G.
If successful, the new legislation would come into effect in 2012 as part of the £90 billion Green Deal scheme, in which families will be offered ‘free’ green makeovers funded by local councils and businesses – including double glazing and new insulation – to help them lower their energy bills and reduce emissions. Those that refuse will be eligible for the stamp duty penalty of around 0.5%, while a 0.5% percent rebate will be available to participants who manage to improve their property's efficiency rating.
Last year, the government proposed an outright ban on the sale of houses with an F or G rating until their efficiency had been improved, an idea that was widely criticised as it could trap those who wished to sell but could not afford the cost of upgrading.
Double Glazing Companies - your ratings needed!
13 July 2010
We're trialling a new section on the site - company ratings!
Feel free to head over, and let us your know thoughts and also your experiences with companies - good AND bad!
http://www.double-glazing-forum.com/company-ratings.aspx
Buckingham Palace set for double glazing?
11 July 2010
The Queen's official London residence is due to be fitted with double glazing as the Royal Family looks to cut energy costs and boost their green credentials, according to reports.
With the financial climate leading to belt tightening all round, people up and down the country are looking at ways to increase their energy efficiency. But for the Royals, who last month had their civil list payments frozen in the Emergency Budget, there might be a little more incentive than most.
Last year, Buckingham Palace was given the worst possible score in an energy survey, which placed at the top of London's 12 most environmentally damaging buildings. Using thermal imaging technology, the study showed heat escaping through its a huge number of single glazed windows, alongside the roof and even cracks in the walls.
At the time, a member of the surveying team said: “So much energy is being lost through the windows… It appears the building is better at heating the air outside, than inside.”
Of course, this translates to quite a financial outlay. In 2008, the Buckingham Palace spent £2.2 million on utility bills alone.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, the typical house loses around 18% of its heat through the windows and replacing single glazing with Energy Saving Recommended double glazed windows would save around £135 a year.
Doing the same for Buckingham Palace, with its 775 rooms including 19 state rooms, 78 bathrooms, 92 offices, 52 royal and guest bedrooms and 188 staff quarters, would make a significantly larger dent in its heating bill, it added.
However, installing new windows in historic buildings isn't without its pitfalls. Perhaps the Palace may want to read our guide on
Double glazing and listed buildings before jumping straight in. It's always good to be prepared, after all.
Home Improvement Building Company Shuts In A Hurry!
11 July 2010
Just picked this up from
glasstalkLets hear your comments!
FAMILIES in Lancashire have been left thousands of pounds out of pocket and living in wrecked homes after a Blackpool building company left town in a hurry.
Luxury home extension firm Space4Living, which builds kitchens, conservatories and orangeries, packed up and shipped out of their Marton showroom – allegedly in the dead of night.
Furious homeowners contacted The Gazette to say they had been left up to £30,000 out of pocket because of the company leaving town.
Many have also been left with half-built extensions – with workmen leaving pipes exposed and conservatories without roofs or walls.
Trading Standards and police are now investigating Space4Living which advertised on its website it was the “North West’s premier home extension company”.
The firm’s now empty Brinwell Road showroom bears a sign in which directors claim the premises are closed for refurbishment.
Have you been affected by Space 4Living’s closure? Contact newsdesk on (01253) 361865
However, when The Blackpool Gazette visited the site, the landlord, who did not wish to be named, said the showroom was not being refurbished and Space4Living had left the site.
He said: “Space4Living owners left overnight, and stripped the shop of assets, and the police arrived to see if these items had been taken illegally.
“We have had many inquiries from members of the public and we are obviously very sympathetic towards those who have lost money.”
Customers Ruth and Ian Peri said their home in Fulwood, Preston, had been left in ruins after paying out almost £30,000 to Space4Living.
Mrs Peri said: “I paid Space4Living an £8,000 deposit for an orangery, £4,000 for the kitchen, and another £19,000 for some of the work they have done. All I’ve got for it is a ground floor set down for the orangery and some steel work completed.
“There are exposed pipes in the bathroom, which don’t work, broken gutters and dismantled floor pipes, as well as a skip which I will have to pay £150 to be removed.”
Tesco launch £9,999 flat-pack 'house'
08 July 2010
Britain's most omnipresent retailer has expanded its product range even further with a series of new self-assembly log cabin style residences, complete with double glazing.
Customers can now order the five room Finnlife structures from Tesco's website for £9,999 – earning themselves a hefty 19,998 Clubcard points in the process.
The cabin, made from Scandinavian whitewood, uses 44mm tongue and groove planks to create a space measuring 32ft by 16ft 10ins. It includes eight double glazed windows, French doors and a felt shingle roof, plus a terraced decking area.
Tesco says: "At £9,999, we don't expect our Tesco Direct log cabin to be an impulse purchase but it is certainly less hassle and less costly than moving house or building an extension.
But, unfortunately for those looking for a bargain-priced home, the company are keen to state that the building isn't suitable as a permanent dwelling. Instead, it suggests it could be used for “anything from an office or a gym to a lounging area and playroom."
Prospective owners are also warned that they may need planning permission and building approval before constructing their new hideaway, which needs foundations of concrete or compressed gravel.
It's also likely to be a little trickier to put together than the average Ikea flat-pack, despite the manufacturer's claim that “No specialist skills are required”.
“Anyone can build a Finnlife log cabin although some tasks may require more than one pair of hands,” it says, before adding ominously that “construction times will vary depending on your skills and the number of people helping you.”