SUSTAINABILITY


Retro-fitting the UK’s 26 million existing homes to be energy efficient is at the heart of government strategy.’


existing house that will require expensive retro-fitting.” Retro-fitting the UK’s 26 million existing


dwellings to be more energy efficient lies at the heart of government strategy to assist the consumer to offset rising energy prices, reduce domestic CO2 emissions – which account for more than a quarter of the UK total – boost the largely dormant housebuilding industry, and give a kickstart to the flagging national economy.


The Green Deal At the heart of the strategy is the Green Deal, which is scheduled for launch in October 2012. The Green Deal’s fine detail has yet to


be announced but it is widely anticipated people will be able to access up to £10,000 as an interest free loan to pay for energy efficiency work, repaying the costs through savings on energy bills. Similar support will be available through the Green Deal for businesses and there will be extra help for vulnerable people or those living in homes that need more work than Green Deal finance alone will stretch to. Climate Change Minister Greg Barker,


said, “The Green Deal will be the biggest home improvement programme since the Second World War, shifting our outdated draughty homes from the past into the future, so it’s vital people can trust it. I have heard too many cases of shoddy


workmanship or dodgy technology from Government schemes in the past so from day one there will be strict rules about standards, information will be readily available and there will be a proper route for complaints. “We’ve already started putting in place


the foundations for this and I am pleased the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) has been formally appointed to ensure that installers and assessors will meet the necessary standards when the Green Deal starts next year.” The Department of Energy & Climate


Change (DECC) has set out its plans for consumer protection and redress. The document includes: Plans to set up a new Green Deal Code – to protect customers at every stage of the Green Deal from initial assess- ment to installation. Plans to set up a new Green Deal advice line – this will provide impartial advice and referral to accredited Green Deal assessors, installers and providers as well as a route for any complaints. The formal appointment of the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) – which will ensure assessors and installers adhere to robust standards to participate in the Green Deal. Richard Lloyd, executive director of


Which? said, “We’ve said from the start that consumers need to be at the centre of


the Green Deal, so it’s great that the Climate Change Minister has announced measures to protect them. “Our latest research into cavity wall


insulation uncovered inadequate inspections and poor advice. For this scheme to be a success, Green Deal assessors need to be held to the highest standards. £10,000 represents a major investment for most people, so the Government must ensure that the financing of the scheme is fair and good value for customers.” Audrey Gallacher, head of energy at


Consumer Focus, said, “Consumers need to have confidence in the Green Deal if it is to work. So it is good news that the Government has responded to our challenges on the need for greater consumer protections. Particularly welcome moves are the introduction of an independent advice line and more robust complaints handling and redress measures. “This should not only help consumers


make informed decisions on products and services, but mean that support is there if things go wrong. The Green Deal will be sold through a spread of providers from energy companies to DIY chains. It would be so easy for the Green Deal to be undermined by bad selling, poor service and low quality. Government and industry need to focus on winning the confidence of consumers by ensuring good standards of


PROPERTYdrum NOVEMBER 2011 19


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67