NIA raises awareness of insulation measures

Green GB Week is designed to highlight the opportunities clean growth offers the UK and raise understanding of how business and the public can contribute to tackling climate change.

During Green GB week the NIA will be raising awareness of the multiple benefits of insulation including Cavity Wall Insulation (CWI) which can pay for itself in less than 3 years, to External Wall Insulation (EWI) which can transform the appearance and curb appeal of a home whilst reducing bills and making them warmer, to Internal Wall Insulation (IWI) which enables homes that do not have cavity walls and cannot be treated with EWI to benefit. There are also lower cost, simple measures such as topping up loft insulation and draught proofing to prevent cold entering around doors, windows and floors. 

The National Insulation Association (NIA) represents manufacturers, system suppliers, installers, contractors and fixing and component suppliers of insulation measures and product types in the UK.  With millions of householders lacking adequate home insulation, the industry can play a vital role in contributing to the Governments ambitions to reduce carbon emissions and eradicate fuel poverty. 

We have a national network of NIA Members who meet our membership criteria and a strict code of professional practice which includes a complaint and disciplinary procedure.  For more information visit www.nia-uk.org.

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NIA AND ENERGY SAVING TRUST JOINT MARKETING CAMPAIGN

As part of our work to promote the benefits of insulation to householders and encourage them to contact a National Insulation Association member for a survey and quotation, we are pleased to announce that we have agreed to undertake a major marketing campaign this autumn with the Energy Saving Trust.  The campaign will feature national and regional press releases and social media activity which will promote the specific benefits of the different insulation measures; External, Internal, Cavity Wall, Loft, Roof, Floor Insulation and Draught Proofing and then signpost consumers to the NIA website to find out more details and an NIA member to carry out the work.

As many will be aware the new ECO3 which commences in October is focussed on affordable warmth households and will not include CERO/able to pay subsidies, therefore the campaign will focus on able-to-pay households and encouraging them to insulate based on the many benefits of insulation even if there is not a subsidy available.

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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

Interest free loans for home insulation now available from the Scottish Government – contact an NIA member for details.

The Scottish Government HEEPS Loan Scheme for energy efficiency measures is now open and the National Insulation Association (NIA) is urging Scottish householders to contact its members to take advantage of the scheme to upgrade their property’s insulation.

Householders can obtain an interest free loan of up to £15,000 for installing a variety of measures including solid wall, cavity wall, loft and roof insulation, draught proofing and boilers.

The scheme is open to owner occupiers, private tenants and registered private sector landlords in Scotland. The repayment period varies based on the amount borrowed but those taking out higher value loans for solid wall insulation for example will be able to pay back over 10 years.

Neil Marshall, Chief Executive of the NIA commented: “We welcome the loan scheme which will make home insulation more affordable and we are urging householders in Scotland to contact their local NIA registered member to find out if their home requires additional insulation and for details of this scheme.

 “By installing SWI savings of up to £455 per year can be made on fuel bills and £275 per year from CWI. Loft Insulation can also save up to £240 per year and Draught-proofing windows and doors can save between £25 and £50 per year and when installed with other measures will greatly increase the comfort in a home.”

Householders  can be safe in the knowledge that an NIA registered member  will have signed up to a strict Code of Professional Practice, meaning peace of mind comes as standard.

To find a local NIA registered member, householders and landlords in Scotland should visit the NIA website www.niaconsumer.co.uk

The Chief Executive of the National Insulation Association urges the public to take heed and think insulation first during Big Energy Saving Week

Neil Marshall, NIA Chief Executive said:  “20-24 October is Big Energy Saving Week and will see numerous helpful facts given about saving costs on fuels bills. But we must stress that above all else, fitting adequate insulation first needs to be the priority. Doing so will enable householders to make major savings on their fuel bills year after year without even having to think about it.”

The amounts that can be saved on fuel bills are substantial:

• Solid Wall Insulation will  save up to £460 per annum
• Cavity Wall Insulation will save up to £250 per annum
• The correct depth of Loft Insulation can save £250 per annum
• Draught Proofing will provide  a yearly saving  of up to  £50

Marshall went on to voice his concerns over the millions of households that are yet to be properly insulated: “It is staggering that despite years of campaigning, and rising energy bills over 7 million solid walls and 5 million cavity walls still need insulating. There are also 7 million lofts that have inadequate insulation and are in need of topping up!”

The NIA is therefore urging householders to contact an NIA member to find out if their home requires insulation and to arrange a quotation.  Householders can be safe in the knowledge that an NIA installer will have signed up to a strict Code of Professional Practice, meaning peace of mind comes as standard with an NIA member.

To find a local NIA member householders should visit the NIA website www.nia-uk.org

NIA welcomes Liberal Democrats' commitment to Energy Efficiency

Following the announcement of the 5 new laws for a greener Britain that will be included in the Liberal Democrat manifesto, Neil Marshall, Chief Executive of the National Insulation Association (NIA) commented: “We welcome and are encouraged by the proposals to introduce new regulations to address energy efficiency, including a new heating and energy efficiency bill and a national programme to raise energy efficiency standards for all British households.  This is very much in line with the recommendations from industry in its report ‘A housing stock fit for the future’ launched on 24th June 2014.”

He added: “We still have over 7 million homes that have inadequate Loft Insulation, over 5 million that require Cavity Wall Insulation (CWI) and almost 8 million homes that need Solid Wall Insulation (SWI). We therefore need to be strengthening our energy efficiency programmes and accelerating the pace of delivery.  We require a long term structured plan to achieve this and transform the nation’s housing stock and we look forward to working with all political parties in bringing this about.”