NIA to Introduce Local Members Networking Forums In Response to Requests from Members

The NIA has established a Local Members Networking Forum in Scotland this year which provides a vehicle for its 30+ members in Scotland to meet up and receive briefings on important industry matters from the NIA and external stakeholders. It provides input to the NIA’s future plans and to network and share experiences with other members.

Given the success of the Forum in Scotland and feedback from NIA members in England and Wales we will be setting up a Local Members Forum in Wales and a number of regional forums throughout England in 2018.

Further details of the forums will be provided at our annual conference on 7^th December and we envisage holding the first forum meetings in February 2018 to brief members on the new ECO and PAS2030 that will come into force in October 2018.

If you are interested in joining the NIA or attending its annual conference and black tie gala dinner please contact Bev Hodson  by email bev.hodson@nia-uk.org or call our office on 01525 383313

NIA sets up new Domestic Energy Assessor network

Domestic Energy Assessors (DEA) and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) - an opportunity or a declining breed?!

Government made the decision to drop EPCs from the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) from April 2017 to save money.  This was a severe blow to DEAs who had been encouraged to ramp up capacity by Government to deliver the Green Deal which unfortunately failed.

So does this mark the end for DEAs and EPCs?  ABSOLUTELY NOT!

ECO is now focused purely on fuel poverty but there are huge opportunities for EPCs: and DEAs - able to pay market, new regulations for the private rented market from April 2018, SMEs and the commercial market.

Therefore we are setting up an National Insulation Association (NIA) DEA Members network that can undertake EPCs for our installer members and customers.

If you are a DEA registered with Elmhurst, ecmk, NES, Stroma or QUIDOS contact us about joining the NIA.

As an NIA DEA you will stand out from the crowd as a quality company that signs up to our strict code of professional practice and you will also be listed on our website where we will promote your services and you will have the opportunity to receive free leads.

If you are interested in joining our growing network and members's services email neil.marshall@nia-uk.org

NIA Announces New Chairman

Following the departure of Tony Hardiman, Chair of the NIA Strategic Board in June the NIA has appointed his replacement as Derek Horrocks, Chairman of the Sustainable Energy Group and previously Vice Chair of the NIA.

Commenting on his new role Derek said: "I am delighted and honoured to take over as Chair of the NIA and look forward to working with Mike, Neil and his team, other Board Members and NIA Members in building upon the success of the NIA in supporting its members. 

“I firmly believe that we need to engage and interact with all of our members effectively going forward to our mutual benefit and ensure the combined voice of the NIA and its members is listened to and acted upon in ensuring a long term sustainable future for us all.”

The new appointment also means that a new Vice Chair has also been announced as Mike Easdon, Managing Director at InBuild Solutions and serving NIA Board Member.

Neil Marshall, Chief Executive of the NIA added: “I’m very pleased with the new appointments and would like to take this opportunity on behalf of myself and the NIA Board to thank Tony Hardiman for the first class job he has performed as Chair of the NIA for the past 12 years and wish him all the best for the future.”

Companies interested in NIA Membership should email Maeva.Robson@nia-uk.org or call the office on 01525383313

Ends

Showcase your products and services to the Insulation Industry

The National Insulation Association’s (NIA) Annual Conference, Exhibition and Black Tie Gala Dinner is taking place on Thursday 7th December 2017 at the Jurys Inn Hinckley Island Hotel, Leicestershire.

The exhibition has been a huge success since its introduction several years ago and attracts over 20 exhibitors each year.  Exhibition stand space for the 2017 event is now available!

Neil Marshall Chief Executive of the NIA commented: “The event is now firmly regarded as a key insulation industry event and with some 300 delegates expected to attend this year, it will certainly be a great way for companies to showcase their products and services to the insulation industry, government officials, energy suppliers and other key stakeholders.”

With all stand bookings the NIA is also offering exhibitors a FREE place to attend the Conference and the Gala Dinner worth £199.  Companies wishing to reserve a stand at the exhibition and take advantage of the free place offer should contact the NIA without delay.

Companies interested in attending and showcasing their products and services at this year’s NIA Annual Conference please email Maeva.Robson@nia-uk.org or call 01525383313 

NIA sees rapid growth in membership.

The National Insulation Association (NIA) which represents the manufacturers, system suppliers and installers of cavity wall, external wall, internal wall, loft, roof and floor insulation has seen a rapid growth of some 20% in membership this year.

Commenting on the success, Chief Executive Neil Marshall said: "Earlier this year we conducted a survey to find out exactly what services and support insulation companies wanted from us and we have tailored our offering accordingly and attracted a significant number of new members.

"Companies told us they value the advice and guidance we provide, our support in representing their views to Government and other key stakeholders, our annual conference, local networking events and free leads and referrals which were over 40,000 last year."

Neil added "The NIA team understand that trade association membership must demonstrate added value and a return on investment and with the increase in members this would certainly suggest we are delivering this."

Companies interested in joining the NIA should contact Bev Hodson Office Manager on Bev.hodson@nia-uk.org or call 01525 383313

New Industry Standards to be launched from 3rd April 2017

The NIA has been working with a number of other industry bodies over the past 6 months in developing new industry standards and specifications for insulation measures.

Neil Marshall said: “This work is aligned to the Each Home Counts (Bonfield Review) and covers Solid Wall, Cavity Wall, Room in Roof and Loft Insulation. These new standards and documents are incorporated in the new PAS2030:2017 and all installers will need to work to them from 1st June 2017.”

For further details and to obtain copies of the documents email Info@nia-uk.org

NIA and NLA partnership to help landlords meet new regulations

The National InsulationAssociation (NIA) and National Landlords Association (NLA) have come together to provide landlords with an easy to use online facility to find local insulation installers to help meet energy efficiency standards.

Both organisations are advising landlords that they should be taking action soon in order to upgrade their properties by 1^st April 2018. This is when the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) will come into force and require rented properties to have an EPC rating of E or above before they can be legally let.

Neil Marshall, Chief Executive of the NIA commented: “Our partnership with the NLA will provide a timely service to help Private Landlords to meet the new energy efficiency standards.   Landlords can contact local NIA Installer members via the NLA or NIA websites to arrange a survey and quotation. They can be safe in the knowledge that NIA installers will have met stringent criteria and sign up to the NIA’s Code of Professional Practice providing added assurance and recourse.”

Richard Lambert, Chief Executive Officer of the National Landlords Association (NLA), said:

"It's important that landlords have access to the most trusted and reliable of local specialists, particularly when it comes to insulation, and we hope that this online service will enable landlords to meet their obligations by making their properties more energy efficient."    

Minister for Energy and Industry, Jesse Norman said:  "This is a welcome initiative from the NIA and the National Landlords Association, which should help people improve the energy efficiency of their homes and save money on their heating bills."

Landlords should be thinking about what they need to do to meet MEES and how they can provide warmer homes for their tenants.  The minimum E rating may be raised in the future and so landlords with buildings rated F or G may decide that they wish to spend more than the minimum in order to bring those buildings to D or above.

For more information about how landlords can find an NIA member visit www.nia-uk.org  or call 08451 636363 

Ends

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 

New Quality Standards for Insulation Companies - NIA can help you to comply

From 1st April strict new national  quality standards will be introduced for cavity wall, external wall, loft insulation and room in roof insulation, as part of PAS2030, which installers will be required to work to.

The National Insulation Association (NIA) is involved in setting these new standards and we are helping our members to ensure they can comply with them by 1st April.

If your company would like our help please contact us about membership today.
Bev Hodson Bev.hodson@nia-uk.org 01525 383313

NIA statement in response to article in Mail on Sunday – 22/1/2017

Today the Mail on Sunday has run a widely inaccurate and misleading story about cavity wall insulation and the cavity wall insulation industry.

We strongly dispute the findings in the article and Neil Marshall CEO of the NIA has issued the following statement:

“These figures are widely inaccurate as thermal cameras in isolation are ill-equipped to assess the effectiveness of cavity wall insulation and should only be considered as part of a range of inspection measures.

“Cavity wall insulation is very reliable – of the six million households who benefit from the product and hold a CIGA Guarantee only 13,000 have ever reported any problems, a claim rate of just 0.24%.

“Cavity wall insulation is a trusted product and proven to keep homes warm and fuel bills down, with independent research showing it saves families up to £275 a year in energy costs.

“The industry has robust procedures in place to ensure installers are qualified, use approved products and only fit cavity wall insulation in suitable homes.

“In the rare instances things do go wrong, the industry has well-established systems of redress, to ensure consumers get the help they need and deserve.”

ENDS

NOTES

• Thermal imaging in isolation is an inappropriate method of assessing cavity wall insulation.  The IRT data appears to be based on computer analysis of thermal images rather than a detailed study of the property or an intrusive survey.

• British homes are some of the least energy efficient in Europe, resulting in soaring energy bills, increasing fuel poverty and an increasing reliance on foreign gas imports.

• Independent research by the Energy Saving Trust has shown that installing CWI in a detached property can result in an annual saving of up to £275.

• Statistics from CIGA show that, since 1995, they have issued a total of 5,853,184 guarantees across the UK. In the same time period the overall claim rate was just 0.24%, or around 13,000 households.

• To be compliant with building regulations, CWI can only be installed in adherence to the various controls described below, amongst others:

• The product itself must be recognised by a certification body, such as the British Board of Agrement (BBA).
• Surveillance is also undertaken by the BBA to assess and approve installers. This includes carrying out site based assessments and routine surveillance of completed work.
• The leading industry guarantee provider CIGA also carries out its own additional checks. This ensures that the insulation itself, along with the method of installation, are of the highest standard.
• Work completed under frameworks, such as the Energy Company Obligation, are also subject to an added layer of independent technical monitoring in addition to the standards described above.

If you require further information please contact the NIA Press Office - Duncan Murray – duncan@provencepr.co.uk 

NIA welcomes the acquisition of the Green Deal Finance Company

The NIA and its members see the acquisition of the Green Deal Finance Company (GDFC) by Greenstone Finance and Aurium Capital Markets announced on 15th January 2017 as a positive development. It will provide a further option for consumers to finance the purchase of insulation measures to reduce their bills. It is vital that they learn the lessons from the previous Green Deal scheme in order to make the offer as simple and attractive as possible for householders and businesses. We are looking forward to working with the new management team at the GDFC to contribute to this.

Important Announcement for Specifiers of Insulation Works and Companies

PAS2030 which governs the national standards that installers must work to in the installation of energy efficiency measures is currently being revised and a new version will be published at the end of January 2017.

The new PAS2030 will be far more comprehensive and robust than the current one and include the following additional items:

·                The initial assessment of properties for suitability to receive the measures.

·                The system design and design detailing.

·                Specific industry standards and specifications setting out the standards all installers must work to such as the new NIA Specification for installing EWI with fuel burning appliances, Room in Roof Insulation survey form and best practice guide and loft insulation specification.

·                Stricter competency ratios (number of trained operatives) per site.

·                All sub-contractors will need to be PAS2030 accredited as well as the main contractor.

Whilst the improvements to PAS2030 are welcomed, they will only be as effective as the strength of the monitoring and enforcement by the PAS2030 Certification Bodies.

Therefore at the NIA will be adding the requirement for our members to adhere strictly to PAS2030 to our rules of membership.  If we then receive reports/complaints from specifiers of insulation works that an NIA installer member is not complying with PAS2030 we will investigate this and take strong disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion if a breech is discovered.

We would therefore urge specifiers of insulation works including Local Authorities, Housing Associations, Energy Companies, Builders and Architects to choose NIA members to carry out work and incorporate a requirement for NIA membership in their future tenders for insulation projects as this will provide an additional level of assurance and enforcement.

To help specifiers in this regard we have introduced a new ‘Expressions of Interest and Tender Request’ Service whereby if specifiers provide us with details of projects and specifications we will circulate these to our members saving them time and money.

Specifiers interested in the service should contact Bev Hodson bev.hodson@nia-uk.org 01525 383313

Specifiers can also find details of local NIA installers on our website click HERE