p48 BKU-NOV21 Quiet Mark - BMA_bku 02/11/2021 10:31 Page 48
INDUSTRY UPDATE
The Quiet Mark Certified Blueair HealthProtect™ Air Purifier - Over half (57%) of Brits would like a quieter home.
THE BMA COLUMN
Quiet Mark reports half of
adults want a quieter home Over half of UK adults would like a quieter home, Quiet Mark has revealed in its National Noise Report.
O
ver half (57%) of Brits would like a quieter home, Quiet Mark has revealed in its National Noise Report. The
independent global certification programme associated with the Noise Abatement Society charity has surveyed 2,000 UK adults, looking into attitudes towards noise in their home and work lives. A further 62% are drawn towards quieter appliances. This is stronger
amongst those aged 18-34 (66%) compared to those aged 55+ (54%). This love for quieter appliances transfers to the cost Brits are willing to pay, with 46% of Brits willing to pay more for quieter appliances. Again, this is stronger amongst those aged 18-34 with almost two thirds (63%) willing to pay more for quieter appliances compared to only three in ten (30%) of those aged 55+. Through scientific testing and assessment Quiet Mark identifies the
quietest products in multiple categories spanning many sectors. Only 10% to 20% of the quietest best performing products are awarded Quiet Mark certification. The survey also revealed that over four fifths (82%)
of Brits have appliances within their home that they would like to make less noise than they currently do. Brits would most like their washing machine to make less noise than it currently does (45%), followed by their vacuum cleaners (43%), hairdryers (23%), food mixers and kettles (both 20%).
BMA –The Heat and Buildings Strategy - Close but no cigar
the construction sector is feeling the shake-up. Change is on the horizon, and industry has been crying out for a bold and
F
long-term plan of action to tackle the impact of our homes on the climate. In fact, ‘Greening Our Homes’ - a National Retrofit Programme
proposed by The Construction Leadership Council, (CLC) and supported by more than 50 trade bodies, including the Bathroom Manufacturers Association, builds the capacity to deliver. There were a number of headline-grabbing announcements in the
Government’s £6.6bn Heat and Buildings plan. It promises to upgrade fuel poor homes to EPC Band C by 2030, and to ensure no-one gets left behind, supporting the most vulnerable in society to transition to net-zero. The £5000 boiler grants, have consumer appeal, and a new market-
based incentive for heating system manufacturers, offers real support for that sector. While government is clearly taking steps in the right direction and driving
down the cost of heat pumps is a laudable move, the strategy has some glaring omissions. It anecdotally mentions insulation and only makes reference to exploring
the carbon saving capacity of energy-related products. This is not good enough. It also, only in passing, mentions ‘products which heat water’, and outlines
a plan to work across government to explore water efficiency labelling and minimum standards to ‘reduce the volume of water used by these products’. Unfortunately, the document has not delivered any long-term plan or
joined-up thinking that businesses in the home improvement market need. Manufacturers are looking to take the long-term investment decisions needed to deliver water and energy saving products which will transform the market, but, to date, there is no clarity. Neither has this strategy aided the consumers who, while they may hear
about grants for heating systems, will have no information on the other actions they need to take to make their homes truly net-zero. As our society begins to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, we need long-
term planning, clear direction and incentives to support and encourage business innovation. Manufacturers, product designers and marketers across all construction product categories including KBB are readying to face the challenge to transform the nation’s homes. But for the foreseeable future we remain in the dark. Detail, longevity and clear communication are needed to deliver the great impact we all desire - a sustainable future.
Tom Reynolds Chief Executive of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association
The Quiet Mark Certified Miele WEG665 Washing Machine - 45% of Brits would most like their washing machine to make less noise than their current model.
48 BKU NOVEMBER 2021
u For more information contact BMA on 01782 631619 or email
info@bathroom-association.org.uk
ollowing the launch of Government’s approach to Net Zero and the Heat and Buildings Strategy, it’s fair to say much of
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
