Aug
9
Written by:
epcassessor
8/9/2011 1:51 PM
Last month we reported that the implementation of the latest Energy Bill (the revisions to the Energy Performance in Buildings Regulations - EPBR) had been postponed until the autumn. With summer now upon us, we wondered if the energy gurus and politicians had perhaps taken an extended summer break: We asked Andrew Morphet, Managing Director of Synergy Property Services Limited if he’d seen any signs:
“I’m pleased to say, there has been a lot happening in July – although not all of it positive. Despite assurances from Chris Huhne, Secretary of State at the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) that the Green Deal will be delivered on time; the shelving of the Energy Bill until October is an issue that must ultimately have an effect. It is also likely to have an adverse effect on the DECC’s timeline for the Green Deal proposals. The timeline was already ambitious - now it is almost impossible for this to be met.”
A Second Event is Just as Worrying.
The takeover of National Energy Services (NES) by the Kingfisher Group (owners of B & Q) is, if rumours are to be believed, the first of several such moves. It is worrying because NES incorporates one of the better Accreditation Schemes for Energy Assessors. Their role is to independently audit Assessors on their work and keep standards high. Any moves by B&Q to take over the reins could call into question the impartiality of assessors accredited with NES. A more interesting question is why B&Q think the purchase could be a good move for their business; both NES and B&Q have been silent on the takeover: Watch this space!
Green Deal Trials Already Underway
On a more positive front, the Government has announced a series of trials aimed at making it easier for people to insulate their homes and reduce fuel bills. As part of the Green Deal, due to start in earnest in the autumn of 2012, households will be able to invest in home improvements with no upfront cost; they’ll repay through the expected savings on energy bills.The trials are outlined in a new report from the Government's Behavioural Insights Team and will be completed and evaluated in time for the national roll out of the Green Deal. The energy efficiency trials, many of which will include joint working with Local Authorities, will begin in September and will test how best to encourage people to take up the Green Deal. Examples of the trials include:
- British Gas and Alert Me are to work with the Government to investigate which channels of communication most effectively motivate consumers to save energy.
- Homebase and Carillion will team up with a local authority to test the impact of offering immediate rewards to residents for purchasing energy efficiency measures. The offer will include a one month's council tax holiday or vouchers to spend in store.
- B&Q and Sutton Council will be offering a subsidised loft clearance service to test whether removing the 'hassle' factor of insulation motivates people to make efficiency improvements. The unwanted contents of the loft clearance will be donated to local charities. B&Q will also test the impact of offering collective purchasing discounts to households for buying energy efficient products.
- First Utility and Opower will be conducting a randomised controlled trial to investigate the effect of behavioural feedback - including comparative consumption - on consumer energy use.
Chris Huhne, Secretary of State at the Department for Energy and Climate Change, has commented recently that The Green Deal is going to be a “real hit” and will be a fantastic way for people to upgrade their draughty and energy wasting homes. This is all great rhetoric, but there are currently too many barriers standing in the way of people upgrading their homes – the cost, the hassle and the lack of trust in the people who install the kit.
Andrew adds: “I hope the field tests succeed in identifying ways to overcome these barriers and help gauge what is most likely to motivate individual's behaviour to be more energy efficient.”
Energy Performance Certificates to get Makeover
Another thing that will happen early next year is that the presentation of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) is to be improved, helping draw people’s attention to the issues that will make a difference to energy usage and cost saving measures.
With nearly 1.4 million EPCs issued in the last 12 months, great information is already being put into the public domain, what’s needed now is to raise awareness and provoke action. Making information about the energy efficiency of homes readily available and easy to understand was a vital first step in the process: The changes to EPCs will, hopefully, help motivate more people to take action and make their homes greener.
Synergy Property Services and acting upon EPCs
Synergy Property Services Ltd. provides practical, straight forward advice on the recommendations in the Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for your property and can explore with you the opportunity to reduce your overall energy costs.
Please contact Andrew Morphet of Synergy Property Services Ltd direct on 0800 458 4127. For a quote or with any other enquiry please email us or use our simple contact form. You can also sign up to the Synergy Property Services Newsletter to keep up to date with energy legislation and how it might affect you.