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.

ENDS

Our response to Government proposals to improve 100 housing estates in England.

Speaking to the BBC over the weekend, Prime Minister David Cameron said that Government is to spend £140m, with added money from the private sector, to demolish existing housing estates and rebuild homes that people feel they can have a real future in.

Commenting on the proposals, Neil Marshall, CEO of the National Insulation Association (NIA) said: “Whilst we support the Prime Minister’s proposals to improve housing estates in England we are concerned that the plans appear to focus purely on demolition and rebuilding.  Housing estates can be regenerated and transformed by upgrading the existing properties including the installation of attractive external wall insulation.  The cost of upgrading estates is significantly less than demolition and rebuilding which means more households could be helped with the money.  In addition, upgrading the existing buildings avoids the hassle and disruption of having to re-house the occupants which is associated with demolition and rebuilding.

“We would therefore urge the Prime Minister to reconsider the proposals and focus more of the investment on upgrading existing properties.”    

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 Announces Plans for a Special Open Day/Briefing Event for External Wall and Internal Wall Insulation Installers

The NIA is the lead trade body for solid wall insulation in the UK representing manufacturers, system certificate holders and installers of both external and internal wall insulation and is committed to helping its members maximise business opportunities and maintaining quality and standards in the industry.

Neil Marshall, Chief Executive of the NIA commented: "In response to the significant level of interest expressed by PAS 2030 external and internal wall insulation installers in NIA membership, we have decided to hold a special free to attend open day/briefing event in early 2015.

"The event will include briefings on the opportunities available to EWI and IWI installers in different market sectors together with the support that we can provide to members in maximising these.

"Further details of the event will be released shortly but if you are interested in attending please email us at admin@nia-uk.org to register your interest."

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.”