NIA Supports New Government Quality Drive

As part of the Governments Each Home Counts recommendations, British Standards Institution (BSI) has been appointed by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to review and revise the existing PAS2030:2017 (specification for the installation of energy efficiency measures in existing buildings) and develop a new PAS2035 specification for energy efficient retrofit of domestic buildings which will clearly set out the standards for the installation of each energy efficiency measures.  

BSI hosted a stakeholder engagement workshop on 10^th January 2018 to brief key organisations on the work involved and seeking their support – I attended the event on behalf of the National Insulation Association (NIA).

This work is extremely important as it will clearly set out the specifications and standards that will apply to the installation of insulation measures.  The existing PAS2030 is a little complicated and there are some aspects that are open to interpretation, however, this project provides the opportunity to simplify matters and remove any ambiguity ensuring that all installers will install to a common, uniform standard.

The NIA will be represented on the PAS2030 and PAS2035 Steering Groups and the Measures Experts Groups and the intention is for these new specifications to be introduced in October 2018 alongside the new Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and Each Home Counts Quality Mark.

At the NIA we are very supportive of Each Home Counts as it provides a vehicle to ensure quality installations are delivered on a consistent basis and instil confidence in policymakers, specifiers and householders.  In addition to contributing to the development of the new specifications, we will be ensuring that our members are kept up to date and provide advice and guidance to help them comply with the new standards.    

Furthermore, we are also working with the British Electrical Allied Manufacturers Association (BEAMA) in developing new industry guidance which will clearly set out minimum ventilation requirements when installing insulation. We are also advising the Scottish Government on the new quality framework they are currently developing for Government funded schemes.

For more information about all the work above and membership of the NIA please email neil.marshall@nia-uk.org

NIA welcomes Government response to ECO Help to Heat consultation

Commenting on this mornings Government response Neil Marshall, Chief Executive of the National Insulation Association (NIA) said:" We welcome the changes that Government has made which will mean thousands more households will receive assistance through free and subsidised insulation.

The Government has listened and responded to the views and evidence provided by industry including the NIA. The principle changes are as follows:

• An increased 18 month vs 12 month scheme 
• 75% of the work delivered will be through home insulation 
• 60% increase in the carbon target 
• Significant increase in the Solid Wall Insulation minima in addition householders added to the low income group
• Simplification of the scheme administration which will enable more money to be spent on actual insulation measures 

Ends 

NIA responds to Governments planned 400,000 new homes

The NIA shares its surprise and concerns with the Committee on Climate Change at reports that the Government intends to build 400,000 new homes in the next few years that may have to be retro-fitted with insulation and other energy saving measures to meet the UKs carbon saving targets.

Neil Marshall, Chief Executive of the NIA commented: “If this proposal goes ahead and new homes are not adequately insulated when built it will mean that these homes will be less energy efficient resulting in the occupants facing much higher energy bills which is a major concern given continued rising energy prices and unnecessary additional costs from retrofitting later.

Earlier this year government scrapped building standards that would have made new houses zero-carbon from next year, without indicating whether new standards would be forthcoming. In addition it would be a further blow for the home energy efficiency sector where installation rates for existing homes have plummeted as a result of cuts to ECO and the  Green Deal and Green Deal Hone Improvement fund being ended abruptly without putting in place alternatives.

Yesterday the Chancellor also announced further major funding cuts for the future Energy Company Obligation meaning there could be a 78% reduction in the number of households that will receive energy efficiency improvements over the next 5 years compared to the previous Parliament.  We would therefore urge a rethink in the energy efficiency policy for new homes"

The Committee on Climate Change published it Fifth Carbon Budget today highlighting that if the UK is to meet its targets by the 2030s, insulation would need to be installed in nearly all UK homes where it is cost-effective.

NIA is supporting its members during challenging times

There are currently serious concerns across the insulation industry about future activity levels from Government related schemes including ECO, the Green Deal and GDHIF.  We are therefore working hard on behalf of our members with Government and other key stakeholders to influence the shape and design of future policies and schemes to increase activity levels and provide a longer term sustainable policy landscape for the industry.  This work includes:

• Calling on Government to make Energy Efficiency Retrofit of the UK Housing Stock a National Infrastructure Priority supported by appropriate levels of capital expenditure and a long term delivery plan.
• Seeking early decisions from Government Ministers on the future of the Energy Company Obligation after the current obligation ends in April 2017 and a longer term ECO, preferably five years.
• Working with DECC, Ofgem and Energy Companies to review and revise the compliance requirements for ECO in order to simplify these and reduce compliance costs for future schemes.
• Seeking urgent clarification from Government Ministers on their future intentions for the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund and Green Deal Communities scheme as well as putting forward proposals to make these or alternatives even more effective.
• Submitting proposals on changes that could be made to the Green Deal to make it simpler and more attractive to householders.
• Contributing to the Chief Construction Advisers current review of the Solid Wall Insulation (SWI) market including recommendation on how to most effectively tackle the 7m homes that still require SWI.

Whilst this work in influencing Government policy and programmes is extremely important in securing a long term sustainable future for the industry, we are also committed to helping our member’s access additional business opportunities outside of the ECO and Green Deal right now.

To this end we have undertaken a range of activities designed to stimulate additional insulation work and clearly position our members as the preferred choice to carry out work among specifiers and householders.  This includes:

• Launching a new consumer website www.nia-uk.org/consumer with an installer postcode locator which is receiving around 50,000 searches a year and providing free leads and referrals to our members.
• Working with leading consumer groups including the Energy Saving Trust and Money Saving Expert to promote the benefits of insulation and referring householders to our members.
• Undertaking a major PR Campaign to promote insulation and our members
• Creating new business opportunities in the new build and commercial markets by providing our members with market intelligence and information and promoting insulation to key specifiers in these sectors.  In addition we introduced a new Code of Professional Practice for NIA members operating in the New Build and Commercial markets to differentiate them and provide competitive advantage vs. non NIA members.
• Introduced a new free service for Local Authorities, Housing Associatons and Procurement Framework Operators to access and specify our members via expressions of interest and tender requests.

“Our activities to support our members during these challenging times is having a positive impact on the NIA’s reputation and benefits of membership among insulation companies and we have seen a 20% increase in membership so far this year.”

The NIA is the leading trade association for insulation in the UK and represents the manufacturers, system suppliers and installers of cavity wall, external wall, internal wall, roof, loft and floor insulation plus draught-proofing.    

If you are interested in membership of the NIA or working with our members please contact Neil Marshall neil.marshall@nia-uk.org or call 01525 383313

NIA calls on DECC Ministers to make announcements of their intentions for ECO post 2017 & GDHIF before the summer recess.

We are today calling on DECC Ministers to make announcements about their intentions for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) post 2017 and the future of the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund (GDHIF) before the Summer Recess (21st July 2015).

Recent figures published by DECC and Ofgem on ECO showed that the energy companies have already made significant progress towards their targets for ECO2 (April 2015 - end March 2017) and that based on the installation rates in 2014/15 the target could be achieved one year early in Q1 2016. This is reflected in the major slowdown in ECO activity where just 29,000 measures were installed in April 2015, a 2 year low and compares to 51,000 measures in March 2015 and 58,000 in April 2014.

In addition, the £450m Green Deal Home Improvement Fund which was designed to compensate for the shortfall in ECO activity following Government cuts to the scheme in 2014 is also on hold whilst decisions are awaited from Minsters.

The combined effect of these two factors has resulted in a collapse in insulation activity which is harmful to householders and the industry alike.

Finally the annual progress report published by the Committee on Climate Change this week highlighted that all main insulation measures are behind the required trajectory to achieve the UK's carbon reduction targets - in the case of solid wall insulation some 500,000 behind trajectory.  The Committee also recommended to Government that urgent decisions were needed on the future of ECO post 2017 to provide some assurance to the supply chain.

Therefore we are today calling on DECC Ministers to announce their intentions for the ECO post 2017 and GDHIF before the House of Commons rises for the Summer Recess on 21st July 2015.  

NIA asks for cross party support to be extended to a national energy efficiency programme

The NIA welcomes the recent cross party agreement for action on climate change and is urging party leaders to agree support for an ambitious national energy efficiency programme.

With over 7m households lacking solid wall insulation, 6m lacking cavity wall insulation and over 7m having inadequate loft insulation the NIA is asking party leaders to build on their recent commitment to tackle climate change by agreeing to make energy efficiency retrofit of the UK housing stock a national infrastructure priority.  Supported by additional funding from the Government Infrastructure budget and to pledge to provide support to 6m low income households by 2025.

Recent reports have highlighted the scale of the problem and demonstrated why a fresh approach and step change in funding for energy efficiency and installation rates is needed:

• The rate of insulation installations has collapsed under the current Energy Company Obligation and Green Deal and is well behind the trajectory needed to achieve the UKs carbon saving targets according to the Committee on Climate Change.  At the current rates of installation it will take:

o   Around 150 years to insulate all of the remaining solid wall properties

o   Over 30 years to insulate all of the remaining cavity wall properties

o   And around 60 years to insulate all of the remaining lofts to the correct level

• A recent study by leading think tank Policy Exchange identified that over 1m of the 2.3m fuel poor households in England have a family member at work and that Government funding to tackle fuel poverty is currently around £700m-a-year below that needed.

   

• Research conducted by Cambridge Econometrics and Verco for the Energy Bill Revolution identified that a far more ambitious home energy efficiency investment programme would pay for itself and significantly boost the UK economy.  The report revealed that the programme would:

o   add £13.9bn annually to the UK economy by 2030

o   create over 100,000 new jobs 

o   deliver average energy savings of £372 and result in £4.95 billion in financial savingsper year for UK households by 2030

o   cut gas imports by 25%, boosting energy security

o   provide a £1.27 return in tax revenue for every £1 invested by Government

Neil Marshall said: "the evidence is there for all to see - the current policies, programmes and funding are inadequate and yet the benefits to Government, the economy and hard pressed householders from a properly funded energy efficiency programme are huge.  Therefore today we are calling on all political parties to go further, faster by committing to the following in their election manifestos:

• To make energy efficiency retrofit of the UK housing stock a UK infrastructure investment priority supported by appropriate levels of funding and a robust delivery plan developed with industry.
• As part of the programme insulate 2 million low income homes to EPC band C by 2020 and all 6 million low income homes to band C by 2025."

NIA Calls on all Party Leaders to Commit to making Energy Efficiency Retrofit an Infrastructure Investment Priority in their Manifestos

With over 7m households lacking solid wall insulation, 6m lacking cavity wall insulation and over 7m having inadequate loft insulation Neil Marshall, CEO of the NIA is today calling on all party leaders to make energy efficiency retrofit of the UK housing stock a national infrastructure priority supported by additional funding from the Government Infrastructure budget and to pledge to provide support to 6m low income households by 2025.

Recent reports have highlighted the scale of the problem and demonstrated why a fresh approach and step change in funding for energy efficiency and installation rates is needed:

• The rate of insulation installations has collapsed under the current Energy Company Obligation and Green Deal and is well behind the trajectory needed to achieve the UKs carbon saving targets according to the Committee on Climate Change.  At the current rates of installation it will take:

o   Around 150 years to insulate all of the remaining solid wall properties

o   Over 30 years to insulate all of the remaining cavity wall properties

o   And around 60 years to insulate all of the remaining lofts to the correct level

• A recent study by leading think tank Policy Exchange identified that over 1m of the 2.3m fuel poor households in England have a family member at work and that Government funding to tackle fuel poverty is currently around £700m-a-year below that needed.

   

• Research conducted by Cambridge Econometrics and Verco for the Energy Bill Revolution identified that a far more ambitious home energy efficiency investment programme would pay for itself and significantly boost the UK economy.  The report revealed that the programme would:

o   add £13.9bn annually to the UK economy by 2030

o   create over 100,000 new jobs 

o   deliver average energy savings of £372 and result in £4.95 billion in financial savingsper year for UK households by 2030

o   cut gas imports by 25%, boosting energy security

o   provide a £1.27 return in tax revenue for every £1 invested by Government

Neil Marshall said: "the evidence is there for all to see - the current policies, programmes and funding are inadequate and yet the benefits to Government, the economy and hard pressed householders from a properly funded energy efficiency programme are huge.  Therefore today we are calling on all political parties to go further, faster by committing to the following in their election manifestos:

• To make energy efficiency retrofit of the UK housing stock a UK infrastructure investment priority supported by appropriate levels of funding and a robust delivery plan developed with industry.
• As part of the programme insulate 2 million low income homes to EPC band C by 2020 and all 6 million low income homes to band C by 2025."

NIA sets out ambitious plans for 2015 to support its solid wall insulation members maximise business opportunities

At its Annual Conference attended by around 300 delegates on 4^th December 2014, Neil Marshall the NIA's Chief Executive briefed members on the plans the Association had to stimulate the markets for external and internal wall insulation and position its members as the preferred companies to use with consumers and specifiers.

The NIA is the lead trade body for solid wall insulation representing manufacturers, system providers and installers of both external wall and internal wall insulation in the UK.

Neil Marshall said: "With solid wall insulation installations expected to be minimal under the Energy Company Obligation due to Government cuts earlier this year and the stop start nature of the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund, we will be focusing greater attention on stimulating solid wall insulation activity in other market sectors including new build domestic, commercial and commercial refurbishment.   The theme of our conference was Building a Sustainable Future for our Industry and that is exactly what we intend to do.  As well as creating additional opportunities for members we will be clearly positioning and promoting NIA members as the preferred choice to carry out external and internal wall insulation work to householders and specifiers.  We will of course be continuing to work very closely with Governments in Westminster, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to shape the various Government and energy company funded solid wall insulation grants and schemes to maximum effect.’

Marshall set out a number of areas in which the NIA would be supporting its solid wall insulation members in 2015:

• Providing information and advice on opportunities in different market sectors, funding available and how to access these.
• Promoting the benefits of solid wall insulation and using NIA members to householders, funders and specifiers in the domestic, new build and commercial markets.  NIA has around 100,000 hits on its website looking for companies to carry out work.
• Introducing a new quality and service charter for NIA members to clearly differentiate them from non members and provide competitive advantage when quoting or tendering for work.
• Working in partnership with housing providers, builders, framework operators and other specifiers in encouraging them to request NIA membership to work on projects.

In conclusion Marshall said: "2014 has been a volatile and challenging year for solid wall insulation and solid wall insulation companies particularly with the changes to the Energy Company Obligation and feast and famine nature of the GDHIF.  As a trade association committed to delivering added value to its members, we are determined to support our members in accessing sustainable business opportunities going forward.  We would therefore urge external and internal wall insulation companies that are seeking a long term future to join the NIA to benefit from the support we will be providing and to help strengthen the weight of our voice and lobbying power."

Installer membership is available from £995 + VAT and manufacturer/system designer membership from £2,500 + VAT and we do not charge an application fee.

To apply for membership email bev.hodson@nia-uk.org or telephone 01525 383313  

     

NIA and DECC join forces to find solutions to tackle fuel poverty in solid wall properties.

In an event organised by the National Insulation Association (NIA) and its member Hamilton (Building Contractors) Ltd, a team of officials from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), visited Bradford’s Holme Wood Estate in order to examine first-hand the challenges that face the occupants of some of the poorest housing stock in the UK and the Solid Wall Insulation solutions available to them.

“Fuel Poverty affects millions of households in the UK and the situation can occur in all areas and demographics of the country.” Said the CEO of the NIA, Neil Marshall.  “However, this can be particularly prevalent in poorly maintained housing and the types of private rented and owner occupied properties found in inner cities. The Holme Wood Estate in Bradford is an example of fuel poverty and poor insulation at its most extreme. But, as can be seen with this on-site examination of the problems, steps are being taken to meet the challenges and address the situation.”

Neil Marshall added: “There are over 1million fuel poor households living in solid wall properties in private sector housing that are currently unlikely to receive any help through the Energy Company Obligation and Green Deal Home Improvement Fund.  These households are not expected to be insulated under the ECO as they are not cost effective enough for energy companies and fuel poor households are not likely to be able to afford to make the financial contribution needed under the Green Deal.  This visit is all about working together to find alternative solutions.”

The fact finding tour of the Holme Wood Estate with members of DECCs Household Energy Efficiency and Fuel Poverty teams took place today. During the three hour visit the team went to the heart of the estate to see housing both before, during and after the installation of external wall insulation; whilst also assessing the differences between today’s systems and those of 25 years ago. The group also had the chance to talk with local community leaders and residents to discuss the issues they face on a day to day basis and how the installation of external wall insulation has made a huge difference to their lives.

Daniel Mackie, Business Development Director from Hamilton (Building Contractors) Ltd said: “Hamilton’s are delighted to be working with the NIA and DECC to help to create policies that can be introduced to tackle the growing problem of fuel poverty in solid walled homes in the private sector”. Daniel also added “For 20 years, we have been delivering the benefits of External Wall Insulation to homes such as these in Holme Wood, with the Socially owned properties being the first to benefit through schemes like decent homes. Now though, those left living in thermally in-efficient properties, are generally in the private sector and more needs to be done to support those most in need, those in fuel poverty. Hopefully days like today can play a part in shaping that support.”

NIA welcomes additional £100m for household energy efficiency through Green Deal Home Improvement Fund but calls for further action to insulate the UK housing stock

The National Insulation Association (NIA) has welcomed today’s announcement by Government that an additional £100m will be provided to help fund energy efficiency improvements through the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund (GDHIF) but is urging all political parties to go much further and commit to making Energy Efficiency Retrofit an Infrastructure Priority.

Neil Marshall, Chief Executive at the National Insulation Association said: “Following the significant reduction in insulation activity under ECO after cuts were announced by Government in July and the closure of the initial GDHIF after just 6 weeks, we have been urging Government to inject additional funding into the GDHIF this winter to help hard pressed households reduce their energy bills and stay warm. We are therefore delighted that Government has listened and responded by announcing an additional £100m today.

“However, whilst this will provide much needed short term relief, we need to go beyond short term, stop start schemes and incentives and put in place a long term plan and funding mechanism if we are to insulate the UK housing stock in a timely manner. With over 7 million homes having inadequate Loft Insulation, over 5 million that require Cavity Wall Insulation and almost 8 million homes that need Solid Wall Insulation we need to significantly strengthen energy efficiency policies and programmes.

“To this end the NIA is calling on all political parties to recognise that home energy efficiency needs to be defined as a National Infrastructure Priority with public investment to support the most vulnerable households and to create the confidence for the industry to scale up investment over the long term.”

Hard pressed households face a very tough winter as support to install energy efficiency measures dries up

Ofgem’s latest ECO Compliance Update published on Friday 15^th August 2014  makes very worrying reading for householders intending to apply for a free or heavily subsidised boiler or home insulation through the ECO scheme this Winter.  The Update which contains details of the number of energy efficiency measures that have been installed by energy companies under ECO and progress made  towards the ECO targets showed that two of the targets have already been met, some 9 months ahead of the schemes end date meaning that in theory no more measures now need to be carried out.

The current ECO runs from January 2013 to end March 2015 and the Ofgem ECO Update reported that at the end of June 2014,  based on the number of measures notified to Ofgem by energy companies the HHCRO target which provides free boilers and home insulation to vulnerable and fuel poor households was 97% complete.  The CERO target which provides free or subsidised solid wall, cavity wall and loft insulation was 55% complete against the original CERO target however, when the 33% cut in the original CERO target which was announced by Government on 22^nd July 14 and the carryover of excess carbon savings of around 15% from the previous scheme are factored in, then the overall CERO target has already been exceeded.

This comes on top of the recent closure of the Governments Green Deal Home Improvement Fund and means that hard pressed households are now likely to find it very difficult to obtain the support they were expecting and needing to install heating and insulation measures this winter to heat their homes and reduce their fuel bills.

What can be done to improve the situation?

ECO – in its response to the consultation The Future of the Energy Company Obligation published on 22^nd July 2014, DECC acknowledged that the changes to the current ECO were likely to result in greater cost savings for energy companies than were originally expected and that they would expect energy companies to ensure that consumers benefitted from these extra cost savings in a concrete way.  Subsequently, the Association for the Conservation of Energy has reported that the additional cost saving could be as much as £249m in the current financial year.

Therefore, we would urge Government and the energy companies to agree that these excess savings should be invested in the provision of additional energy efficiency measures this Winter through more ECO activity and/or by directing the funding to the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund to enable it to reopen.

GDHIF – the GDHIF scheme closed unexpectedly on 24^th July following a huge surge in uptake which saw around £70m of vouchers applied for in just a few days.  Since the scheme closure, there have been numerous reports of speculative selling and phantom vouchers with suggestions that a  large proportion of the vouchers applied for will not be redeemed in practice.   It is therefore vital that Government verifies all voucher applications and identifies the number of households that are unlikely to proceed with the works and redeem the vouchers as a matter of urgency.  This will identify how much of the £120m that has been applied for is unlikely to be spent and enable the scheme to be reopened as soon as possible.

In addition, we would urge Government to seriously consider injecting additional funds into the GDHIF at this point in time to help hard pressed households during what is expected to be a very difficult Winter.         

NIA calls on Energy Companies to reinvest excessive Green Tax cuts in additional home insulation.

Following  today’s publication by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) of its response to ‘The Future of the Energy CompanyObligation’ Consultation the National Insulation Association (NIA) is calling for the excess cost savings identified by DECC to be invested in providing additional insulation measures for struggling households.

Neil Marshall CEO of the NIA commented: “DECC has acknowledged in its response that their proposed changes to ECO are expected to deliver greater cost savings to the energy companies in aggregate than originally expected and they have invited the energy companies to publicly set out how they propose to ensure that householders benefit from these additional cost savings.  The NIA is urging energy companies to invest these extra savings into additional insulation measures which can provide householders with significant and long term, sustainable savings on their energy bills.”

Marshall added: “In its recent annual progress report the Committee on Climate Change called on Government to increase the ambition of the Energy Company Obligation to 2017 to achieve its carbon targets but DECC is not proposing to do this.   Therefore, additional insulation activity as highlighted above would help in this regards.”

Will Government Act on Advice from the Committee on Climate Change?

On Tuesday 15^th July the Committee on Climate Change published its latest annual report on progress towards the carbon budgets and actions needed to meet these.  The report highlights that strong progress has been made in some areas such as fuel efficiency of new cars and investment in wind generation but that at the current rate of progress future carbon budgets will not be met – the current policies may only reduce emissions by 21-23% between 2013 and 2025 compared to the required 31% reduction.

Why is this? 

The CCC says that one of the main reasons for this is that progress with insulating residential homes has plummeted since the new policies – Green Deal and ECO were introduced in 2013.  According to the CCC whilst good progress had been made with home insulation up to 2012, as a result of the major fall off in installations since 2013 all of the main insulation measures are now well behind the cumulative indicators set by the CCC to achieve the carbon budgets, Cavity Wall Insulation (650k installations below the indicator), Solid Wall Insulation (330k installations below the indicator) and Loft Insulation (45% below the indicator).  

What needs to happen?

One of the key recommendations in the report and advice from the CCC to Government is that given the potential to go further with insulation and the benefits this would bring in terms of cost effective emissions reduction and energy affordability the Government should increase the ambition of the Energy Company Obligation to 2017.

Will Government act on this advice?

We will find out very soon when the decisions on the ECO Consultation are published.