NIA to host Insulation Industry Summit on Quality and Standards

Last year Amber Rudd, Secretary of State at the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) commissioned an independent review of quality and consumer protection across the energy efficiency market designed to restore consumer confidence.

 

The review which is being led by Peter Bonfield is due to be published in the near future and will include a number of key recommendations.  The NIA is actively involved in the review through participation in its working groups and it has also been working alongside other leading organisations including the BBA, BRE, Guarantee Agencies, BTOpenreach, the Heating and Hot Water Industry Council, Energy Companies and the Association of Technical Monitoring Agents in putting in place enhanced standards and quality processes.

 

The Bonfield Review is expected to recommend the development of common industry standards to ensure that all participants are operating to the same high levels and a consistent approach is adopted throughout the supply chain.  With this is mind Neil Marshall the CEO of the National Insulation Association (NIA) has today announced that he intends to host an Insulation Industry Summit to which industry bodies from the across the insulation supply chain will be invited to agree on a collaborative approach to the development of the new standards.

Announcing the Summit Neil Marshall said: "It is very important that industry bodies work together in developing a set of common industry standards for the various insulation measures that can be adopted across the market and be referenced in relevant regulations, schemes and documents.  This will help ensure efficiency, consistency and avoid duplication, overlap and possible confusion from multiple standards.  To help facilitate this I intend to invite other industry bodies to a summit in the next few weeks to discuss and agree how this can best be achieved through collaborative working."

New NIA Quality Assurance Frameworks will help restore confidence & clearly differentiate its members

In July 2015 the Secretary of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change, Amber Rudd, announced the Bonfield Review, an independent review into quality standards and consumer protection for energy efficiency measures.  Since the start of the review the National Insulation Association (NIA) has been directly involved in the work taking place.

The NIA and its registered members are committed to quality and standards and as part of its work under the Bonfield Review it has initiated the development of new quality assurance frameworks that will apply to its registered members installing external wall, internal wall, cavity wall, loft insulation and draught-proofing.  The frameworks will include robust criteria for member companies and a range of standards covering the building survey, system design, installation, after care and maintenance. They will set the quality bar for insulation companies and clearly differentiate its registered members from non-members.

Neil Marshall, Chief Executive of the NIA commented: “We are committed to leading the quality agenda and this is demonstrated through our current criteria and standards and the enhanced QA Frameworks we are now developing.  We would therefore urge consumers and specifiers including Local Authorities, Housing Associations and Procurement Framework Operators to use our members to carry out any insulation work.  In addition, we would urge installers who share our values to join us now so that they can be part of the frameworks and will not be excluded from tenders and specifications going forward.

“The NIA also runs an ‘expressions of interest and tender request’ service.  Through this free service we issue requests to our registered members on behalf of LA’s, HA’s, other specifiers and project managers which provides them with the benefit of avoiding the need to contact lots of different companies and is immediate,  saving time and money.”

Details of the expressions of interest service and NIA Membership can be found on the NIA website www.nia-uk.org  or email Neil.Marshall@nia-uk.org 

NIA response to SWI report

The National Insulation Association welcomes the Chief Construction Advisers Solid Wall Insulation Report – ‘Unlocking Demand and Driving Up Standards’ and sets out plans to host a meeting of key stakeholders in the new year to consider actions arising.

On 12th November 2015 Peter Hansford, Chief Construction Adviser published an independent report following an eight month review of the solid wall insulation market which involved the consideration of written and oral evidence from a range of stakeholders.

As the lead trade association for solid wall insulation in the UK representing manufacturers, system designers and installers of both external and internal wall insulation, the NIA had considerable input to the report and our CEO Neil Marshall was invited to respond to the report on behalf of the industry at the launch event on 12th November.  

Welcoming the report he said: "For some time now we have been calling for a comprehensive Business Plan to be developed to insulate the UK's solid wall properties in a systematic and cost effective manner and therefore we welcome the review and recommendations carried out by Peter Hansford and his team.  It is extremely encouraging and reassuring to see that Peter has picked up on the key issues raised and suggestions made by the industry through the written and oral evidence provided and that there has been strong cross departmental involvement and support from DECC, DCLG and BIS – this is vital in ensuring a joined up approach to future policies and regulations.

"This report is a crucial first step and provides a platform for the development of an overall business plan to insulate the UKs solid wall properties.  However, the outcome of the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review will be extremely important too as it will set out the Governments level of ambition.  We strongly support the current Energy Bill Revolution Campaign for energy efficiency to become a funded infrastructure priority as we need to go allot further than the Governments current stated ambition of insulating 1m homes over five years if we are to make a significant impression on the UK's solid wall insulation housing stock.

  

"A positive response and the adoption of key recommendations from the report by Government is now needed and it is essential that the Government works with the industry in developing the detailed implementation plan – a leadership forum as recommended is a very good idea but we need to make sure that the right people are involved and I for one would like to see a far more ambitious timescale for doing this, 6 months rather than 12.  There are plenty of examples of best practice that can be quickly and easily adopted into a unified approach and at the NIA we have already established a solid wall insulation external stakeholder support group which could be drawn upon."  

In response to specific points contained in the report he added:

• To date a ‘one size fits all’ approach has tended to be adopted to solid wall insulation but this needs to change.   A segmented and targeted approach is needed taking into account building type, tenure, the occupants and the different solutions available external, internal and hybrid wall insulation. 
• The Government now needs to quantify the overall business case for solid wall insulation taking into account the multiple benefits identified in the report using its own analysis and models in order to determine the appropriate level of investment required.
• A significant part of the report is concerned with quality and standards and whilst we recognise that there is scope for further improvement there are some very good companies carrying out some very good work and there are different approaches taken in different market sectors.   We now need to develop a comprehensive industry wide QA framework for the residential retrofit market that sets out clear and consistent standards and practices which are  mandated and subject to robust enforcement.  We need to ensure that all companies operating in our industry in future operate to the same level as the best performers.  To this end we initiated the development of a new industry wide QA framework several months ago with input from industry and key stakeholders and this is now feeding into the Bonfield review.  
• However, whilst the industry can do its bit, there are a number of external factors linked to policy and regulations that contribute to quality and these need to be addressed too; light touch accreditation, variations in practices between energy companies, certification bodies and guarantee providers, rates paid for work and erratic work profiling.
• In terms of delivery, we believe an area based, street by street approach could play an important role as it could deliver significant economies of scale and enables all householders to be engaged and encouraged to act having seen the results that can be achieved in neighbouring properties.
• And last but not least, we need to educate and engage consumers far more effectively than we have to date.  Currently there is a very low level of awareness of the availability of solid wall insulation solutions let alone the benefits provided.  Research has shown that a large number of those people living in solid wall properties do not believe they can be insulated.  We would therefore like to see a high level Government endorsed consumer awareness and engagement programme backed by targeted incentives that will really make a difference.

In terms of next steps it is anticipated that there will be a Government response to the report over the next few months however, Peter Hansford has strongly advised industry not to wait for the Government response and to take the actions arising from the report that it can proceed with on its own. 

To this end, whilst the NIA is already undertaking a number of initiatives to increase the demand for and uptake of solid wall insulation and to further enhance industry standards, acting on the advice from Peter Hansford our CEO will be convening a meeting of a number of key stakeholders who have had input to the review early in the new year in order to identify actions arising from the report that can be taken forward in a co-ordinated and timely manner.  

ENDS

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.  

Up to £4,000 towards the cost of Solid Wall Insulation now available through Government’s Green Deal Home Improvement Fund

The Government’s popular Green Deal Home Improvement Fund (GDHIF) is to reopen for applications at 9am on Wednesday 10th December 2014 in England and Wales and the National Insulation Association (NIA) is urging householders to contact its members to take advantage of the scheme to upgrade their property’s energy efficiency.

Under the GDHIF householders can apply for:

• Up to £4,000 towards the cost of installing Solid Wall Insulation 
• Up to £1,000 for installing two measures from an approved list including cavity wall insulation, floor insulation, roof insulation and central heating boilers and.
• Up to £100 rebate towards the cost of a Green Deal Advice Report.

The scheme also entitles those who have bought a property in the 12 months before applying to qualify for an additional £500 if they carry out energy efficiency improvements.

Neil Marshall, Chief Executive of the NIA commented: “The NIA welcomes the return of the GDHIF and the Government’s continued commitment to helping households to reduce their fuel bills and increase the comfort of their homes. Under the new scheme, householders will need to obtain a quotation for the work to be undertaken in order to apply for a voucher. Therefore, we are urging householders to contact their local Green Deal accredited NIA Installer or Green Deal Provider members without delay to find out more about GDHIF and arrange a survey and quotation.”

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

To find a local Green Deal accredited NIA installer or Green Deal Provider member and details on the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund householders and landlords should visit the NIA website www.nia-uk.org or call 08451 636363.

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.”

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 Response to GDHIF scheme closure

The announcement of the immediate closure for new applications to the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund  by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is as much of a surprise to the National Insulation Association (NIA) and its members as it will be to householders across England and Wales. We are concerned that many householders who have paid for a Green Deal assessment in order to qualify, but not yet registered, may now lose out. 

The NIA is calling on the department to investigate how the remaining budget of around £60 million was allocated so quickly in just two days. We are also currently in discussion with DECC regarding voucher redemption rates and whether they will consider to re-launch the scheme should funds become available.

People interested in improving the energy efficiency of their homes can receive updates about any possible future schemes by emailing gdhif@decc.gsi.gov.uk or call the Energy Saving Advice Service on 0300 123 1234.

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.”