Green Assess Energy News Latest EPC and energy news from Green Assess Learn more about what’s happening in the energy and EPC related industries. Snippets of the latest energy news from the media and leading industry experts. Green Deal Reports for solid wall insulation Green Deal Reports — January 11th 2013 Many houses that were built before the 1920’s were unsuitable to take advantage of cavity wall insulation grants. With the launch of the Green Deal both interior and external insulation will be covered on Green Deal reports....Read more Green Deal reports get a step closer Green Deal Reports — December 21st 2012 The Government's flagship energy efficiency home improvement scheme, the Green Deal, is on its last push before the scheme comes into force on January 28th 2012...... Read More Green Deal gets new marketing plan to raise public awareness Green Deal Plan — December 14th 2012 In the hope to raise more public awareness of the Green Deal the DECC has been allowed an exemption from the Government's marketing freeze. The Green Deal set to Launch January 28 2013 is aimed at making properties more energy efficient......Read More Buildings energy efficiency funding comes into force Green Deal Reports — November 16th 2012 As of the begining of October the legal framework for the Green Deal came into force. The Energy Act 2011 introduced the Green Deal to help fund energy efficiency improvements to existing buildings. It will enable accredited retailers to supply, without any upfront cost, quality assured services to homeowners and businesses looking to improve the energy efficiency of their property....read more The Green Deal will help to get us out of fuel poverty Green Deal Reports — November 8th 2012 You may find that paying your energy bills each month is a bit of a struggle and you are looking at joining in with the Green Deal scheme. In that case you could find that this is all the evidence needed to get you started....read more £125 million government Green Deal cashback scheme Green Deal Central - Green Deal Reports — October 30th 2012 The government has announced that hundreds of pounds of cash back will be available for householders across the UK that make energy saving measures in their homes under the Green Deal scheme early next year.....Read more Green Deal Reports to help save money Green Assess - Green Deal Reports — October 17 2012 The Green Deal has arrived and is finally underway! Here's a summary of what this actually means: From late January 2013, it can be arranged for Green Deal reports to be carried out on your property. If the Green Deal advice you recieve suggests you require some energy efficiency improvements the Green Deal Advisor will do the hard work for you and begin your plan.....Read more Green Deal signals green light Green Deal Central — October 2nd 2012 Legal Framework for the Green Deal is now in place. The green light now signals to the industry that the market can get started. This now means that Green Deal providers, assessors and installers can start to become authorised, display the Green Deal Quality Mark and put in place their systems for delivering assessments to consumers, however, the Green Deal Finance plan won’t be available for consumers untill 28th January 2013. The Green Deal will remove the biggest barriers to demand for energy efficiency solutions, opening up the market for more participants and giving people more choice. From Late January Green Deal providers will be able to offer Green Deal plans to consumers and begin delivering energy efficiency and heating measures. The Green Deal will empower consumers by giving them new ways of funding home improvements, and empower businesses by enabling them to compete for energy efficiency opportunities in new and innovative ways. It will boost the low carbon economy by supporting up to 60,000 jobs in the insulation sector alone by 2015, up from around 26,000 today. The Green Deal could see homes and businesses save enough energy to power one million homes by 2020. Co-ops awarded £250,000 to test Governement Green Deal Green Deal Central — October 1st 2012 In Manchester two Green co-ops are taking a community approach to the new Government incentive to help residents reduce their carbon emissions. Carbon Co-op, and urban design co-op, URBED, On 27 September launched their Community Green Deal project at Manchester Town Hall. This unique project will act as a test for the Governments Green Deal programme that is set to launch January next year. Working in association with Great Manchester Authority, Carbon Co-op have received £250,000 of funding from DECC for their pilot programme. The aim of the Green Deal is to give people the opportunity to make home improvements to reduce carbon emissions without spending money. The capital for the improvements will be provided by: banks, energy suppliers and retailers, who will then get the money back through the resident’s energy bills. Therefore, a Golden Rule applies, where estimated savings on bills must always equal or exceed the cost of the work. The improvements will be done to improve the carbon footprint of old houses through better insulation, double glazing and other energy saving methods. This Community Green Deal project is a pilot and therefore does not fall under the forthcoming Green Dea’ programme with its associated protections and warranties, all measures are Green Deal–like, simulating how the eventual scheme will operate. Accross Greater Manchester Carbon Co-op will preform assessments on 20 houses. From there they will choose eight to retrofit, based on different criteria such as age, space and resident’s expectations. URBED will be designing and installing the retrofit. Carbon Co-op member Jonathan Atkinson explained: “We are testing the idea that there are lots of people in Greater Manchester who want a share in this process and that a mutually owned approach will be an effective mechanism to deal with fuel poverty and climate change.” “This pilot project is new territory but we’re confident of our service and look forward to proving our case.” Due to their co-operative and community nature, they are taking the assessments further than the government standard, focusing on people’s needs such as comfort, air quality and green interests. Carbon Co-op and URBED have worked together on similar retrofitting projects in the past and discovered the varying reasons people want to change their houses. As the Golden Rule prevents the cost of the work exceeding the bills, people who are under heating their homes are unlikely to gain as much from the project. The pilot scheme aimed to explore these issues. Charlie Baker, a member of URBED, previously retrofitted his own home to see if it was possible to reach the Government target of 80 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2050. Spending just under £50,000, he managed to reduce his footprint by 84 percent. He explained that by working with a community-based organisation like Carbon Co-op they are able to make bigger differences across neighbourhoods and reach more people in the local community. Under the Community Green Deal householders will be able to take part and get the option to access zero percent interest loans to do the retrofit. The Department of Energy and Climate Change has invested £3 million into the area, and it will involve 700 homes in total. Counter the cost of fuel prices and ensure your home is insulated today! Green Assess - Green Deal Reports — October 1st 2012 At last, the Green Deal is launched today. Meaning "every homeowner in Britain will be elligible to upgrade their homes energy efficiency at no upfront cost". Unable to afford these expensive upgrades? tired of the constant rise in fuel prices? Dont worry, Green Deal Reports can help. There is now a fund set up for firms to borrow money from, this means that energy efficiency improvements can be made to all homes in Britain. Green Deal Reports will highlight the cost for the improvements which can then be reclaimed via the savings that you make. Local authorities urged to play their part in the Green Deal and ECO Department of Energy and Climate Change— October 1st 2012 Two green co—ops in Manchester, are taking a community approach to a new Government incentive to help residents reduce their carbon emissions. Community based green organisation, Carbon Co—op, and urban design co—op, URBED, launched their Community Green Deal project on 27 September at Manchester Town Hall. The project will act as a test for the nationwide Green Deal programme created by the Government that will be fully launched next year. It is unique, in that is being run by two co-operatives. Carbon Co—op have received £250,000 of funding from DECC for their pilot programme, working in association with the Greater Manchester Authority. The aim of the Green Deal is to give people the opportunity to make home improvements to reduce carbon emissions without spending money. The capital for the improvements will be provided by: banks, energy suppliers and retailers, who will then get the money back through the resident´s energy bills. Therefore, a Golden Rule applies, where estimated savings on bills must always equal or exceed the cost of the work. The improvements would be done in the form of retrofitting, which is a term for improving the carbon footprint of old houses through better insulation, double glazing and other energy saving methods. Local authorities urged to play their part in the Green Deal and ECO businessgreen — July 27th 2012 DECC launches guide to help local councils draw up plans to promote greater energy efficiency. Local authorities will be expected to draw up plans to boost energy efficiency in their areas, under government proposals designed to help ensure the success of its forthcoming Green Deal scheme. The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) yesterday issued new guidance for local councils in England to help them improve the energy efficiency of their housing stock. The government hopes local authorities will plan a key role in ensuring the widespread take-up of the Green Deal energy efficiency loan scheme and ECO scheme, which places a requirement on energy companies to help people in fuel poverty to install measures such as insulation. Under the Home Energy Conservation Act, councilors are required to publish a report on their plans to achieve improved energy efficiency by 31 March 2013. But the guidance also asks councils to consider how other organisations such as social housing providers could play a part in the plans. Minister visits energy efficiency makeover estate 24dash — July 27th 2012 A Government Minister has visited a Milton Keynes housing estate to see first hand how energy efficiency measure are transforming the lives of local residents. Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker met tenants from The Lakes Estate this week - where nearly 50 council-owned homes are undergoing refurbishment as part of a £7.7m project to make them warmer and greener. The work, which includes installing double glazing, external wall insulation and new cladding, replacing boilers and installing new warm flat roofs, is being carried out by Apollo, part of the housing and regeneration company Keepmoat, on behalf of Milton Keynes Council. Barry Clay, Contracts Manager for Keepmoat, said: "Energy Efficiency is high on the agenda right now and Keepmoat are highly experienced at providing this type regeneration work. The Green Deal receives House of Lords approval homeheatingguide.co.uk — July 25th 2012 By approving the framework underpinning the Green Deal another milestone has been passed leaving the Government's revolutionary home insulation retrofit scheme on track for its October launch. In a statement DECC said "in our consultation response, we confirmed Governments intention to introduce the Green Deal through supporting a responsible and controlled approach with full national systems testing, this is to ensure the market has the opportunity to build steadily. From 8th August the Green Deal Oversight and registration Body will begin registering assessors, providers and installers. Ahead of the opening Register of Green Deal Participants, we will publish the Green Deal Provider Authorisation Guidance - essential reading for potential Green Deal providers on what they need to do to become established and authorised in the role." The statement went on to reveal that authorised and accredited assessors will be able to start operating from October, so that by the end of January 2013 - when the relevant parts of the framework regulations are set to come into effect - consumers wanting to take up the scheme will be in a position to complete a Green Deal Plan. Foreign Secretary on Climate Change DECC — April 25th 2012 Under this Coalition government, the Foreign Office has a renewed sense of mission. It is a mission to promote Britain's national interest, while tirelessly working for a world which is more secure, more stable, more free and more prosperous. In no area is this more relevant than the fight against climate change. Today ministers from more than 20 countries will meet in London with the goal of speeding up global progress on clean energy. I am in no doubt that we must meet this challenge, not only to safeguard the sustainability of our planet and the security of our energy, but also to ensure we are at the front of the queue when it comes to the jobs and industries of the future. We are at the start of a global shift from a high- to a low-carbon economy. The shift will be driven by those countries that transform their own economies so as to better compete in rapidly expanding global markets. Davey to Host International Clean Energy Talks DECC— April 23rd 2012 Floating wind turbines are to be the initial focus of a new agreement between Britain and the United States this week as internation talks convene in London to accelerate the deployment of clean energy technologies. Energy Ministers from 23 of the world's largest economies will gather in London on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss accelerating the transition to clean energy technologies. The Clean Energy Ministerial will be co-chaired by UK Energy Secretary Edward Davey and US Energy Secretary Steven Chu. Alongside the talks, Ed Davey will sign a number of bilateral agreements with counterparts from other governments to work in collaboration over the coming years. Deputy Prime Minister Unveils More Help for Poorest Under Government Home Improvement Scheme DECC — April 11th 2012 The Deputy Prime Minister has announced that at least £540 million of the government's home energy efficiency programme - worth £1.3bn per year - will be targeted at helping the poorest. In a speech to a leading environment and industry figures in London, Nick Clegge reveaed the support will protect the poorest and most vulnerable in society, including people in depriced areas, from rising energy bills by upgrading their homes so that they are cheaper to heat for good. The Green Deal is the government's plan to upgrade the nation's hardest to heat homes at no upfront cost. Where the cost of the work outweighs the saving, or people need extra financial help, energy companies will be able to step in to top up the loan under the Energy Company Obligation. CO2 emissions at lowest level in 40 years ft.com — March 29th 2012 UK emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, have plunged to their lowest levels since records began more than 40 years ago, according to the energy and climate change department. One of the biggest reasons for the fall to just 456m tonnes last year was greater use of nuclear power, according to the data - released on the same day two German companies announced they were dropping plans to build reactors in the UK. A warmer winter in 2011, especially compared with the great freeze of 2010, was another important factor. A department spokesman confirmed last years level was the lowest since DECCs carbon emission records started in 1970, at a time when heavy manufacturing plants were much more dominant in Britains industrial landscape and belched out 685m tonnes of carbon. Fuel poverty is rising in social housing and needs to be addressed 24dash — March 28th 2012 The Government has put restrictions on social landlords access to Energy Company Obligation funding - which will top up Green Deal finance. But fuel poverty is rising is social housing and is a significant issue that needs to be addressed, warns an industry expert. Energy efficiency certificate changes for landlords Peterborough today — March 28th 2012 Landlords are being reminded about changes to Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) which will affect rental properties in the UK. An EPC gives information on the energy efficiency and environmental impact of a property, and is mandatory for all private-rented sector homes. From April 6, 2012, landlords and lettings agents will have just seven days to produce an EPC after they have started to market the property to new tenants, rather than 28 days which was previously expected. The full EPC report must now be provided to prospective tenants, rather than just the graph showing energy efficiency. David Salusbury, chairman, National Landlords Association, said: "EPCs give tenants vital information about the energy efficiency of their property and also contain an estimate of their utility bills." "They also help landlords make informed decisions about how to upgrade the energy efficiency of their properties by recommending improvements." Green Deal boost for small businesses DECC — March 22nd 2012 In a keynote speech on 20th March at the annual ecobuild conference in London, Climate Change minister Greg Barker announced the coalition is to cut more red tape to allow small businesses in to the Green Deal market. The Green Deal is the governments plan to improve the nations draughty homes at no up front cost to the consumer. It will be launched later this year. Greg Barker said: "I want to see a thriving Green Deal market which means we must make it as easy, as cheap and as straight forward as possible for businesses of any size to get involved. So i have cut the red tape to help promote a competitive market and reduce costs which will not help small businesses in particular but will also make the Green Deal a better deal for consumers." In his speech Greg Barker also announced; "Removal of the requirement to hold a surety bond in case of insolvency, Feedback from the consultation indicated having such a bond would be very costly, especially for smaller Green Deal providers and would act as a disincentive to join the market. Instead requirements will now be included within the Green Deal Framework Regulations and Green Deal Arrangements Agreement to ensure that a Green Deal providers ongoing obligations are fulfilled by the person who is entitled to the payments under a Green Deal Plan. New Bristol Biomass Plant to benefit local community DECC — March 12th 2012 Permission was granted today for a new 150MW dedicated biomass power stationer at Royal Portbury Dock in the Port of Bristol, North Somerset The consent allows E.ON Climate and Renewables to construct a plant which could provide enough electricity to power up to 160,000 homes. The new plant will create up to 325 temporary jobs during construction, 35 full time jobs during operations and a further 20 contract personnel during routine and annual maintenance. The plant will be fuelled mainly by imported virgin wood, dedicated energy crops and locally sourced waste wood. E.ON will also set up a Community Investment Fund, which will contribute to £50,000 per annum for every year that the plant is operating, to support charitable and/or educational community projects. £75,000 will also be allocated to trial green buses and improve cycle routes in the local area. Green Deal gets £3.5million cash injection DECC — March 8th 2012 The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has announced that it will provide £3.5million worth of funding to help train energy assessors and installers to participate in the upcoming Green Deal. The Green Deal is the coalition Governments flagship environmental policy that holds lofty ambition of transforming the UK's property stock from draughty, inefficient buildings into more energy-efficient properties. A quarter of the UK's carbon emissions are a direct result of domestic energy consumption, with a similar amount attributed commercial energy consumption. Government estimate that the Green Deal will support 65,000 jobs by 2015 and significantly reduce the Uks emissions and energy consumption. Ed Davey throws weight behind green energy by opening giant UK windfarm guardian — February 14th 2012 The new energy secretary, Lib Dem MP Ed Davey, will face down the growing army of renewable power critics inside the coalition by making his first major outing a visit to a wind project. He will open the world's biggest offshore windfarm on Thursday - the £1.2bn Walney Scheme, off Cumbria, with more than 100 turbines generating enough power for 320,000 homes. Davey Said: "Britain has a lot to be proud of in our growing offshore wind sector. Our island's tremendous natural resource, our research base and a proud history of engineering make this the no 1 destination for investment in offshore wind. "And Walney is the newest, biggest and fastest-built jewel in that crown, providing clean power for hundreds of thousands of homes" Ed Davey launches Energy Efficiency Deployment Office DECC — February 9th 2012 New Energy and Climate Secretary Ed Davey officially launched the Energy Efficiency Deployment Office (EEDO), a dedicated team within the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), at the John Lewis Partnership's Peter Jones store in Sloane Square, London, yesterday. EEDO has been set up to drive forward energy efficiency policy and make it more relevant to people's ever day lives. It will help to deliver the Green Deal, alongside other energy saving policies. Addressing business leaders at the launch Mr. Davey began by saying: "I'm hugely enthusiastic about energy efficiency. It's the cheapest way of cutting carbon - and cutting bills for consumers. It has to be at the heart of what we do. That's why the Energy Efficiency Deployment Office was set up." "EEDO will be a centre of expertise, challenging our work and making energy efficiency real and relevant to peoples everyday lives". He pointed out that two out of three consumers think their home is wasting energy. More than a third of consumers are not aware that energy suppliers offer cheap insulation. Going for growth means going for green Department of Energy and Climate Change — February 6th 2012 Deputy Prime Minister and new Energy and Climate Change Secretary to visit green homes testing site. Offshore wind industry to commit to a vision that more than 50% of supply chain content should come from UK firms. Community energy efficiency grants: 155 projects today awarded share of £5.1m. Newly-appointed Energy and Climate Change Secretary Edward Davey will hit the ground running today, joining Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in sending a clear signal that green growth and green jobs will remain at the heart of the Coalitions strategy for economic recovery. Visiting the Building Research Establishments Innovation Park near Watford, a testing site for a green homes, they will meet graduates considering moving into green construction jobs. The Deputy Prime Minister will say: "The race is on to lead the world in clean, green energy. Last year we saw record breaking global investments in renewables - outstripping the cash piled into fossil fuels. The new economic powerhouses - China, India, Korea, Brazil - are now serious contenders for that capital. "So the choice for the UK is simple: wake up, or end up playing catch up. In todays world the savviest states understand that going for growth means going green. Low-carbon markets are the next frontier in the battle for global pre-eminence." GREEN DEAL LATEST - Special Bulletin February 2012 Department of Energy and Climate Change — February 1st 2012 DCLG yesterday launched their consultation on changes to the Building Regulations regime in relation to the Green Deal. This includes a package of potential changes to support the Green Deal. In summary, this includes new requirements for additional 'consequential' energy efficiency improvements where work (such as an extension or replacement windows or boilers) is already planned to an existing building and Green Deal funding is available as an option to meet the up-front costs. Given DCLG estimate there are 200,000 extensions per year, 1.4 million boiler replacements and 1 million window replacements, this could be a significant demand driver for the Green Deal. The proposals include; From October 2012 (to include with the introduction of the Green Deal framework) DCLG are proposing that extensions and increases in habitable space (i.e. loft or integral garage conversions) in existing homes would trigger a requirement to carry out consequential energy efficiency improvements where these were technically, economically and functionally feasible. The Green Deal will be the biggest home energy programme of modern times Guardian — January 2012 2012 is set to be a monumental year for Britain. Of course we are looking forward to the diamond jubilee and the Olympics, but it is also the year in which we will launch the pioneering Green Deal, unleashing real competitive forces in the energy efficiency market. Attracting more investment than ever before, the Green Deal will be the biggest home energy improvement programs of modern times, to tackle our draughty and expensive-to-heat housing stock. In a world of increasing prices, market volatility and reliance on imports, we simply cannot afford to be wasteful with energy. Our homes are among the most inefficient in Europe and up to 4.1m households live in fuel poverty in England alone. The time has come for a radical new approach to hone energy improvement , moving away from pepper potting individual measures to whole house or property solutions. We will look carefully at the different views coming forward on loft and cavity wall insulation, but with a wider span of measures we are confident the green deal will generate new demand for all types of insulation and actually increase jobs in an expanded insulation market to 65,000 by 2015. South West makes splash as first marine energy park DECC — January 2012 The South West has today been named as the UK's first Marine Energy Park, firmly placing the region on the international map for leadership in marine renewable energy. Climate Change Minister Greg Barker made the announcement on a visit to Bristol where he met with key members of the new initiative The South West Marine Energy Park will stretch from Bristol through to Cornwall and as far as the Isles of Scilly. It will create a collaborative partnership in the region between national and local government, Local Enterprise Partnerships, the famous Universities of Plymouth and Exeter and industry including Cornwalls famous wave hub. The aim of the partnership will be to speed up the progress of marine power development. Energy from the waves or tides has the potential to generate up to 27GW of power in the UK alone by 2050, equivalent to the power generated from 8 coal-fired power stations, as well as helping to reduce emissions to fight climate change. Renewables Bring £2.5bn Boost to Economy Department of Energy and Climate Change — January 2012 Chris Huhne today revealed more evidence of the economic benefits of renewable energy as he reaffirmed the coalitions commitment to meeting EU renewable energy targets. This came as the UK published an update on progress to source 15% of all energy from renewable sources by 2020. Latest research from DECC shows that so far this financial year, companies have announced plans for almost £2.5billion worth of investment in renewable energy projects in the UK, with the potential to create almost 12,000 jobs across the country. A separate report to the European Commission on renewable energy progress that showed that the UK: Achieved a 27% increase in renewable energy consumption from 42.6TWh in 2008 to 54TWh in 2010 - representing 3.3% of total energy consumed. Increased wind generation by 46% from 7TWh in 2008 to 10.2TWh in 2010, and in 2010 achieved 5GW of offshore and onshore wind capacity; and Saw a threefold increase in the use of biofuels in transport from 1% of total road transport fuel supply in 2007/8 to 3.33% in 2010. Chris Huhne, Energy Secretary, said: “Renewable energy is not just helping us increase our energy security and reduce our emissions. It is supporting jobs and growth across the country, and giving traditional industrial heartlands the opportunity to thrive again. “Our renewable target is less demanding than other EU member states, but the effect is bringing real jobs and investment. “I do not want the UK to be left behind by turning our back on the green economy. The agreement to negotiate a global deal secured at Durban has reinforced major nations’ commitment to cutting carbon. We cannot afford to stand alone while the world wises up.” Minister Looks Forward to “Prosperous 2012” Department of Energy and Climate Change — January 2012 Energy Minister Charles Hendry set out his hopes for a “prosperous 2012” in the oil and gas sector, as he awarded 46 new licences to explore for hydrocarbons in the North Sea. These awards were made as part of the 26th offshore oil and gas licensing round, which was originally announced in October 2010. This licensing round awarded 144 licences but held back a number of blocks from award due to the need for further assessment on Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs). Charles Hendry, Minister for Energy, said: “Oil and gas remains crucial to the UK economy — contributing around 2% to the country’s GDP. Our innovative licensing system continues to make the UK one of the most attractive places to do business. “These further licences have been subject to rigorous examination, and we are now satisfied that initial exploration can go ahead. “These continued high levels of interest, and the award today of these licences, gives me yet more reason to be optimistic for a prosperous 2012 for the UK oil and gas sector.” The Green Deal Countdown! January 2012 “The biggest home improvement plan since the second world war” — Chris Huhne, Climate Change Secretary With the Christmas and New Year rush behind us for another 12 months we are already counting down to the next big event... The Green Deal. Set to be the largest home improvement programme since the second world war, the Green Deal promises to drive billions of pounds of investment into energy efficiency over the next decade with the potential to create 250,000 jobs involving around £100bn of investment by 2020. As bills rise and green subsidies are cut, politicians are looking for ways to reduce our bills - and emissions - at no or little cost. By providing energy advice to an estimated 14 million homes and businesses within the UK and offering grants to all, the new innovative financial mechanism eliminates the need to pay upfront for these energy efficiency measures and instead provides reassurances that the cost of the measures will be covered and paid back through the savings on the electricity bill. The government have called this revolutionary proposal “The Green Deal” The government have committed to invest £200 million this year alone to stimulate the “Green Deal” on its launch in the Autumn, with a further £14 billion of private investment being predicted. The goal of the Green Deal scheme is to have 14m UK households upgraded for energy efficiency, making the UK the European leader in reducing greenhouse emissions and supporting up to 250,000 new jobs within the green industry Treasury to approve £200m Green Deal Funding GDG - Janary 2012 The chief secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander announced the approval of £200m to be used as an incentive for the public to pick up the Green Deal scheme when it is available for homeowners in October 2012. Both the business community and NGOs welcomed this announcement as another step towards the successful roll out of the Green Deal scheme. While the primary goal of the Green Deal scheme is to increase energy efficiency of UK homes and business buildings to reduce the carbon emissions associated with climate change and to reduce energy costs, there are other benefits of the Green deal scheme. The government estimates that in the long term the scheme, if successful, will create thousands of new jobs and lead to £14b in new investment from the private sector. Additionally, energy companies are mandated to assist with energy improvements for low income households. The goal of the Green Deal scheme is to have 14m UK households upgraded for energy efficiency, making the UK the European leader in reducing greenhouse emissions. Experts state that the success of the Green Deal program is dependent on the experience of those homeowners who take up the scheme early, thus there must be great attention to the details of the program so that all goes smoothly. While the details of how the £200m will be disbursed to early adopters of the scheme, experts agree that using this money for a reduction in the council tax or the stamp duty tax will be a powerful tool to motivate homeowners to take up the Green Deal within the first year. The government is considering this proposal as well as others for the distribution of the funds. Rental Sector Welcomes Green Deal EAToday - December 2011 New incentives such as £150 to consumers who take up the Green Deal scheme are to be announced, with more sweeteners to be unveiled in a matter of weeks. Energy secretary Chris Huhne says the impact of the Green Deal will be to drive down household fuel bills by 7percent, or £94, by 2020. He said: “Britains homes will be cheaper to heat and to light than if we did nothing in this parliament and in the longer term.” The providers will be able to apply for an Energy Company Obligation subsidy where applicable to allow them to supply products that would not otherwise meet the golden rule on repayments. Instances where this will occur would typically be on older terrace properties with single brick skin construction that makes it impossible for cavity wall insulation in other words, many classic rental properties. Energy Company Obligation funding will be open to private landlords whose tenants will be responsible for repaying the Green Deal costs through their utility bills but will exclude social housing. David Salusbury, chairman of the National Landlords Association, said: The Green Deal represents a good opportunity for landlords and home owners to increase the energy efficiency of their properties. By enabling landlords to make necessary improvements at no direct cost, it overcomes the obstacles which have constrained previous initiatives, at the same time offering a real benefit to households. A recent survey by the NLA found that over two-thirds of landlords would consider taking advantage of the Green Deal.It is our aim to support landlords through this process. The Government has worked to engage with all stakeholders in order to come up with a proposal which we believe has the potential to work for the private rented sector. We look forward to continuing to work with government to bring about energy-saving improvements.” Peter Bolton King, chief executive of the NAEA and ARLA, said: The NAEA and ARLA have been working closely with the Department for Energy and Climate Change on the detail of the Green Deal policy. For the Green Deal to work it needs to be easy to implement and clear, so that tenants and prospective home buyers have the information they need when buying or renting a new home. We look forward to examining the full detail of the consultation, and will be responding to the Government in due course. Homes and Economy to Benefit From Energy and Climate Policies Chris Huhne DECC - November 2011 £14 billion worth of private sector investment in home energy improvements over the next decade will help insulate households from rising global energy prices and create thousands of jobs in the British insulation and construction sector, Chris Huhne said today. A consultation on the Green Deal, which will provide home energy saving upgrades to householders at no upfront cost, was published as part of the Energy and Climate Change Secretary’s Annual Energy Statement to Parliament. He also published a new government analysis showing that homes will on average be cheaper to heat and light in future than if the Government was not pursuing policies to keep the lights on and emissions down. Chris Huhne,Energy and Climate Change Secretary, said: The Green Deal is about putting energy consumers back in control of their bills and banishing Britain’s draughty homes to the history books. By stimulating billions of pounds of private sector investment, the Green Deal will revolutionise the way that we keep our homes warm, making them cosier, more efficient“and all at no upfront cost. The Green Deal is also a massive business opportunity for firms up and down Britain, helping to power the economy and creating jobs. From one-man bands and local authorities, to the big supermarkets and DIY stores, we want as many providers getting involved as possible because that’s what will give consumers the best deal. I want to insulate Britain’s homes not just from the cold weather, but also from the chill winds of global fossil fuel prices. It’s these that are pushing up consumer energy prices, and it’s why our balanced package of policies aimed at achieving energy savings and shifting to more home grown alternatives is the right one for the economy and all of us who pay energy bills. There are certainly costs to replacing our ageing energy infrastructure with modern, clean power stations, and we take very seriously any impact of our policies on what consumers and businesses pay. We’ve repeatedly taken steps to reduce this “ by removing some planned levies on bills and making others more cost effective and within budget. But a crucial and too often ignored priority of our whole strategy is to reduce the amount of energy we use in our homes The Facts and Framework The Green Deal framework will be launched from October 2012. This month’s consultation outlines the followingthree big benefits of the ground-breaking scheme “ and asks for comments from industry and the public: Every British home and business will be able to install packages of energy-saving technologies such as insulation at no upfront cost, making their property warmer and cosier straight away,with repayments made over time out of the energy savings. Strict standards will be put in place to prevent consumers being ripped off by cowboys. A new requirement on energy companies to provide £1.3 billion a year to ensure everyone is able to benefit from the Green Deal “ no matter their income or the type of house they live in. Additional help will be available to ensure the fuel poor get better boilers and fix draughty homes, while subsidy will also be provided to help tackle homes that are hard to insulate“includingsolid wall homes. The Green Deal is expected to kick start around £14 billion of private sector investment over the next decade Up to £150 in cash back could be available for homes taking out a Green Deal “ to be funded through private sector Green Deal finance€“ as part of efforts to make the Green Deal as attractive as possible. Separately, the Chancellor announced in Budget 2011 that the Government is committed to the success of the Green Deal and will act to encourage and incentivise take-up sothe Green Deal will appeal to households, businesses and prospective providers alike, before it is introduced in 2012. The Green Deal “ Impacts on Energy and Climate The annual estimate of the impacts of energy and climate change policies on energy prices and bills, published this month, shows: By the end of 2011 household electricity prices will have increased by around 16% and household gas prices by 25% since the start of the year. This has been due mostly to global fossil fuel prices. Over the past year alone the global gas price increased by nearly 40%. Many experts expect global fossil fuel prices to continue to rise over the medium- and long term, meaning energy bills are likely to increase with or without policies. Government policies currently account for around 7% of an average household energy bill and have contributed very little to these recent price increases. In fact, accounting for the efficiency savings policiesalready delivered, the average household energy bill in 2011 is only 2% higher than it would have been if these policies were never introduced. In 2020 the average household bill will be 7%, or £94, lower than if the Government was not pursuing policies to achieve energy savings and incentivise the shift from fossil fuels to alternatives.A net saving will start to kick in from around 2013 and, over the remaining lifetime of this Parliament, average household bills will be lower than they otherwise would be,as a result of energy and climate policies. This assumes a central gas price estimate of nearly 70p/therm in 2020. If the gas price was to be higher, householders would be even better off. Government policies will enable more of the most vulnerable to heat their homes more affordably, as they will receive extra help through the new Warm Home Discount, existing energy efficiency schemes andthe Energy Company Obligation announced today. UK Government earmarks £35m for energy efficiency measures energy efficiency news - 22nd sept 2011 Innovative measure that cut the costs of energy saving and reducing carbon emissions for homes and businesses are to get a £35m boost, UK energy secretary Chris Huhne announced yesterday. In the spending review last year, the government earmarked more than £200m for low carbon technologies over the next four years. A£35m share of that pot is now going to be devoted to reducing carbon emissions from buildings Details of where and how the funding will be allocated to reduce costs of energy saving in domestic and non-domestic buildings will be announced later in the year. Meanwhile, a new energy efficiency deployment office will be established within the Department on Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to create an energy efficiency strategy and strong programme management. The office will have its own chair and director like similar offices for renewable energy, carbon capture and storage and nuclear power. Landlords eying up UK Governments Green Deal energy efficiency news - 22nd September 2011 Two thirds of the UK's private landlords are eying up the opportunities presented by the Governments forthcoming Green Deal, according to a survey. The coalition Governments Green Deal which is in the report stage in parliament as part of the energy bill, will allow the costs of improving the energy efficiency of properties to be paid for out of the savings to energy bills. The National Landlords Association (NLA) reports that 24% of the landlords it surveyed are planning to take advantage of the Green Deal, with a further 38% saying the would consider taking advantage of loans to make energy efficiency improvements to their properties. The Green Deal is likely to be open to property owners from October 2012 and will allow tenants to reduce energy consumption and bills, while adding value to properties by being more eco friendly. "The green deal presents an excellent opportunity for landlords to improve the energy efficiency of their properties" says NLA chair David Salusbury Clegg backs green energy and Green Deal utility week - 21st September 2011 Liberal Democrat leader and deputy prime minister Nick Clegg voiced strong support for green energy and electricity market reform in his conference speech today. He told delegates at the partys annual conference in Birmingham: "we have stood by our commitments to act on the environment." Clegg added that while the "politically convenient thing would have been to put off to another day" the party was taking immediate action and reeled off a list of examples. These included "ambitious carbon targets. Energy market reform. Councils generating renewable energy. A Green Deal to make bills lower and homes warmer. Carbon capture and storage. Green buses, trains and trams. The worlds first ever green investment bank". Clegg claimed these were "green achievements from a green part of the government". West Mids takes leading role in Green Deal projects h&vnews.co.uk - 19th Sept 2011 The West Midlands looks set to lead a Green Deal revolution after Birmingham Energy Savers issued a tender notice for works, which they say could eventually be worth up to £1.5billion. Birmingham City Council is to provide up to £75m for an initial pilot, the Pathfinder Programme, with a further £25m expected via investment through the energy company obligation under which energy suppliers are asked to support hard to treat and vulnerable households. Chief among the delivery partners obligations will be to engage customers, assess properties and secure finance and manage loans. The partner will be expected to keep a database of installation data. The Pathfinder Programme is set to last around three years with the last property refurbished in autumn 2015 and BCC's investment repaid under the Green Deal, feed in tariffs, the Renewable Heat Incentive and other incentives over a 25 year period. Government 'should provide energy performance clarification' Taylor Vinters - 16th Sept 2011 The government has been urged to provide clarity regarding expected energy performance for rented property across the UK. Richard Jones, policy director at the Residential Landlords Association, said more information is required to ensure landlords are upgrading their properties that are currently the least compliant with energy targets, with the rating system for Energy Performance Certificate needing clarification for many. He commented "The government wants to see voluntary compliance, but the one thing that puts landlords off voluntary compliance and getting on with it is the uncertainty about the standards that they will need to meet." According to research by the national landlords association, 24 per cent of the UK landlords say they will definitely make use of incentives set out in the governments green deal to boost the efficiency of their properties. Further more, 38 per cent claimed they would consider in, with just 17 per cent saying the scheme has no appeal. Building sector keen to go green businessgreen.co.uk - Sept 2011 A major new survey has revealed the vast majority of construction firms understand the need for sustainability but have failed to take basic steps to improve their environmental performance, prompting fresh calls for the government to cut taxes for energy efficient buildings. Ninety one per cent of construction businesses believe that sustainability will be core to their businesses over the next five to ten years, according to a new survey of more than 100 leading building products firms published today by Pricewaterhouse Coopers and the Contruction Products Association. CPA and PwC said they hoped the survey would open a debate on the challenges facing the sector as it attempts to improve its environmental performance and how effective policies can help encourage efficient construction. Companies still failing to comply with Air Conditioning Inspection Legislation eatoutmagazine.co.uk - 10th June 2011 All UK buildings with air conditioning systems that have a capacity of over 12kW should have been inspected for energy efficiency by 4 January 2011 The Heating and Ventilating Contractors' Association (HVCA) has received information from the Department for Communities and Local Government which indicates that many have not yet been inspected and building owners are breaking the law. Apart from the potential penalties companies face they are almost certainly paying higher energy bills by failing to have their systems inspected by experts who can advise on efficiency improvements. Under the regulations all air conditioning systems with a cooling capacity over 12kW must be inspected. Rod Pettigrew, deputy chief executive of the HVCA, commented: "non-compliance has a real cost; it costs the environment, it will cost the UK and chance of meeting its emissions targets and it costs companies the opportunity to lower their costs - and in the difficult trading conditions being experienced by most bus in esse that must be sufficient incentive alone. Its worth emphasizing that the inspection is not just a tick box excercise; it gives building owners and managers useful information about how their systems are running and how they could be improved both to reduce harmful carbon emissions and save them money on their energy bills." Never been a better time to insulate your home Energy Saving Trust - 24th June 2011 With rising energy bills, there has never been a better time to improve home insulation, claims Bev Coombe, membership and communications manager for the National Insulation Association. Highlighting the benefits of installing insulation, she said: "Householders can save around £265 every year on their energy bills by having loft and cavity wall insulation installed. "There is also the added benefit of living in a warmer, more comfortable home- which also has a reduced environmental impact." Meanwhile, people moving home could find that insulation will improve a property's Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating, which all sellers must complete and show potential buyers the energy efficiency standard of a building. UK proposes Fourth Carbon Budget Department of Energy and Climate Change - 17th May 2011 A limit on the total amount of greenhouse gasses to be emitted by the UK between 2023 to 2027 has been proposed to cut Britain's emissions by 50% from 1990 levels and highlighting the Governments commitment to being the greenest ever government. Today's proposal, set out by Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne, is in line with the advice from the independent committee on Climate Change. It sets a fourth carbon budget of 1950 MtCO2e for the period that will span from 2023 to 2027, putting the UK on course to cut emissions by at least 80" by 2050. The carbon budget will place the British economy at the leading edge of a new global industrial transformation and ensure low carbon energy security and decarbonisation is achieved at least cost to the consumer. Call for EPC's to be publicly available Energy Saving Trust - 17th May 2011 Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) should be made publicly available so that properties failing to meet energy efficiency standards can be easily identified, the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) has stated. Commenting on the second reading of the Energy Bill, Ian Potter, operations manager or ARLA, made the proposals as there are around 500,000 properties in the private residential sector that fall into F and G ratings for energy performance. However, he welcomed the decision by the government to give landlords until 2018 to make green home improvements as a practical one, as poor performing buildings account for 17 per cent of the market. Mr Potter did stress concern that there is still little detail about how properties are to be made more efficient. "So far, there is no clarity on how energy improvements will be assessed or enforced - or, importantly, how this assessment will be funded," he said. Other proposals in the Bill include making it illegal for landlords to refuse reasonable requests from tenants to make their property more energy efficient from April 2016. Huhne gets tough on landlords of draughty homes Department of Energy and Climate Change - 10th May 2011 Energy and Climate Change secretary Chris Huhne has today announced plans to introduce regulations to ensure that all landlords would face minimum energy efficiency standards under the Green Deal Plan Under the proposals, announced at Second Reading of the Energy Bill: From April 2016 landlords will not be able to refuse reasonable requests from tenants or local authorities acting on behalf of tenants, to improve their property; From April 2018 the government will make it unlawful to rent out a house or business premise which has less than an "E" energy efficiency rating, ensuring at least 682,000 properties will have to be improved. The Green Deal is the coalitions national plan of home improvements to make house and businesses cheaper to run through better energy efficiency, From next year people will be able to access finance to pay for the upfront cost of work which will be paid back through savins on lower fuel bills. Air Conditioning Inspection Reports must be lodged on national register. racplus.com - 3rd May 2011 From 1 July 2011, all Air Conditioning Inspection Reports produced for systems in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will need to be lodged on the national register. All systems with an effective rated output over 12kW need to be inspected. There are tens of thousands of air conditioning systems used in England Wales and Northern Ireland. The great majority are of more than 12kW rated output and they should all have been inspected by 5th January 2011 (or within 5 years if installed after 1st January 2008, and slightly different dates apply in Northern Ireland). Yet some landlords and occupiers just aren't bothering with inspections. Inevitably some systems are using more energy than they need, without delivering effective cooling to the end users. The introduction of mandatory lodgement is a good opportunity to make clients aware of this new requirement, reminding them that they have a duty to have systems inspected and encourage them to get on and do it. For those that think its a burden, not a benefit, then they might be interested in recent case studies which show how they can pay for themselves within months. Revamped EPC to be launched estateagenttoday.co.uk - 20th April 2011 A revamped EPC is being worked by government advisers and is set to be implemented early next year. The revamp will follow a raft of changes due to implemented in two stages, on July 1 and October 1. If the October 1 proposed change goes through, it should mean agents not having ti print forests of extra pages as had been feared. The October 1 proposal is that the full EPC - not just the ratings - will have to be printed and attached to all particular. However, all the associated recommendations will not have to be attached. This would mean that agents would have to add one more double sided A4 page to their particulars. There is likely to be one crucial change. Denis purshouse, senior civil servant at CLG who advises on housing matters, said that for the purpose of EPCs attached to property particulars, the address of the property will not be included. Green Makeovers improve appeal for tenants and cut costs estateagenttoday.co.uk - 13th April 2011 Neither the NAEA nor RICS responded to the recent consultaion on Energy Performance Certificates, a highly-placed source has claimed. The consultation, described as informal, was launced jointly by Andrew Stunnell of CLG and Lord Marland of the Department of Energy and Climate Change. In a memo to members, the RICS said it was seeking an urgent meeting with the Government. RICS is aware that CLG (Communities and Local Government) proposes that from July 2011 agents will become responsible for both domestic and commercial Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)." RICS understands that CLG intends to remove the option for the EPC to be in place at time of contract and that it should be available at the point of marketing the property. The requirement for an upfront EPC is in anticipation of the recast EPBD which will introduce EPC ratings with adverts in 2013." EPC providers have, however, been told that the full EPC will be needed, and that simply putting in the ratings will no longer be acceptable from July 1. Green Makeovers improve appeal for tenants and cut costs easier.com - 11th April 2011 According to a recent poll the buy to let market has reaches record highs with 41 per cent of landlords planning to increase rents during the next 12 months. This is concerning news for many tenants who, as a result of the increased cos of living due to escalating fuel prices and the recent VAT rise, are already struggling to make their payments on time, pushing them into debt and leaving their landlords to pay the mortgage. The Government has stated that it may introduce new regulations to force landlords to improve the energy efficient features is one of the simplest ways for a landlord to make a property more cost effective to run. The Landlords Energy Saving Allowance currently offers financial support in the form of a tax allowance up to the value of £1,500 to help support landlords that choose to implement energy saving measures. Buildings 'should display energy ratings' bdonline.co.uk - 30th March 2011 The UK Green Building Council has said all non-residential buildings should have their A-G energy rating on public buildings to encourage landlords to bring up to scratch those premises lagging behind. The ratings would provide an at-a-glance indicator and detailed technical information on the energy performance of a building, it said. The council added that these display energy certificates should be used to produce a range of publicly accessible league tables based on occupiers, landlord, sectors, building types and uses. Green Building Council chief executive Paul King said the rating system should be included in the Energy Bill currently going through parliament. "A to G ratings for commercial buildings will provide a reputational driver for both landlords and tenants to take energy use more seriously," he added. He said aswell as displaying ratings, landlords should also be required to put up certificates showing energy efficiency of the services they provide. EPC Rules Tighten estateagenttoday.co.uk - 25th March 2011 New requirements are set to tighten up rules on Energy Performance Certificates imminently. Communities and Local Governmetn has issued no press briefings or other information, but has held meetings with EPC providers to discuss changes, which look set to including having a full EPC on all marketing, including the internet. However, according to part of the presentation by CLG which we have seen, the changes are due to come into force 'from April / Jult 2011'. However, the document does not specify in what order the changes will apply or give actual dates. The changes will include: An EPC must be either available or ordered before any property is marketed for sale or rent, and enforcement officers will have powers to check that the EPC has been commissioned The full EPC, apparently as opposed to the summary graphs, must be provided when supplying property particulars. The 'responsible person' (usually the agent) must use 'reasonable efforts' to ensure that the EPC is available within seven days of the start of marketing, rather than the current 28 days. The EPC must be attached to all proeprty particulars for marketing purposes. Finally, the changes make the agent liable to prosecution if the EPC rules are broken. Provide more advice about energy efficiency says experts. uswitch.com - 25th February 2011 Howeowners should be helped to find ways to make their homes more energy efficient an expert has said. Gordon Miller, Sustainability and Communications Director of Sustain Worldwide, said that there is a lack of awareness when it comes to energy efficiency. He highlighted the importance of energy saving and added that barriers that currently prevent people from carrying out essential measures need to be addressed. Mr Miller explained that some homeowners are unsure of how particular gadgets and technologies work and do not know who can help to fit them. "It goes back to finding peoples trigger point that will see them engage with the debate and act," he said, suggesting that environmental concerns and money may motivate people. "Whatever works - and each [issue] will for different people - is where the focus needs to be," he added. Investing in the green economy is a hot topic for many organisations, as this week the United Nations called for 2% of the worldwide income to be invested into reducing greenhouse gasses. Huhne calls for greater effort in renewable heat development energysavingtrust.org.uk - 23rd February 2011 Energy Secretary Chris Huhne has called for greater developments to be made in renewable heat technology. Speaking to the Royal Geographic Society last week, he highlighted the need to tackle what is the UK's second biggest driver of energy demand after transport. "More combined heat and power schemes, putting waste heat to better use. More district heating schemes are needed" he said. "And more electric air and ground source heat pumps, drawing warmth from the outside world to heat indoors. Better insulation, smarter homes, and more energy efficient heating can help us to cut our energy demand." The minister noted that research from British Gas shows that homeowners who install energy efficiency measures cut their gas consumption by 44%, showing that home improvements can be made and can be effective. In addition, Mr Huhne said that electricity use could double by 2050 as the grid is used to heat homes and charge cars. He stressed the need for low-cabon supply from renewable energy such as wind, wave, solar and micro-hydro power, as well as from nuclear and carbon capture storage. Being energy efficient is key to being competitive guardian.co.uk - 15th February 2011 Energy costs account for as much as a fifth of business expenditure so investing in efficiency can lead to gains in competitive advantage. At a time when cutting costs is imperative for many businesses, utility costs can be a significant and unavoidable overhead. Energy costs can account for up to a fifth of the average business' expenditure and this is compounded by a volatile energy market and an increasing amount of complex regulation on the horizon. However this threat can be turned into an opportunity to cut costs and gain a competitive advantage if businesses are willing to transform their approach to managing their energy use. From our experience of working with over 750,000 business and public sector customers we know that most businesses can save at least 10% on their bulls by taking steps to manage their energy more efficiently. For those that go a step further and make energy efficiency a business priority, savings in the region of 20-30% are achievable. Landlords given tips on greening properties rman.co.uk - 14th February 2011 Landlords have been handed tips on the best ways to make their properties greener in a bid to attract tenants. According to letting agent body ARLA, the governments Green Deal is set to offer landlords financing in order to improve the energy efficiency of the homes they rent out. Older properties will be particularly targeted under the scheme, with any houses with an energy performance certificate rating of F or G to be updated first. Ian Potter, operations manager of ARLA commented: "landlords can already take advantage of a tax allowance of up to £1,500 for these energy efficiency improvements through the landlords's energy saving allowance." He added that it makes sense for landlords to carry out the necessary work as soon as possible in order to make immediate cost savings. Fines for missing EPCs PropertyDrum - February 2011 Firms that alter their business premises may find themselves liable for providing their landlord with a new Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) or face a hefty fine warns Paul Burbidge, a partner at Gullands solicitors in Maidstone. Read More EPCs should play a bigger role in home energy efficiency advice says FMB build.co.uk - 1st February 2011 The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has welcomed news that the data from Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) will be used to offer advice and information to home owners and tenants about how to improve their property and reduce their fuel bills. The FMB has said for a long time that the EPC should play a bigger role in improving the energy efficiency of the UK's housing stock. Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the FMB said: "The retrofit revolution is an enormous challenge. In order for the Government's Green Deal to successfully deliver the carbon savings required, home owners and tenants must understand the benefits of home energy efficiency improvements. For a long time the FMB has said Energy Performance Certificates should be used to trigger property upgrades. This can only start to happen if local authorities and other trusted and accredited companies have access to information about the energy performance of the homes in their area". Minister unveils Green Deal advice plan for tenants and homeowners 24dasg.com - 31st January 2011 Junior housing minister Andrew Stunnell has outlined plans for a new scheme that will enable homeowners and tenants to receive tailored advice about how to make their homes greener and save money, delivered direct to their door. Compnaies offering services to upgrade homes through the Government's Green Deal will be able to access information about the energy efficiency of properties that have an Energy Performance Certificate, and deliver tailored advice to individual homes. Proposals published last week set out how the system for accessing this information will work. The Green Deal is the Government's new and radical way of making energy efficiency available to all, whether people own or rent their property. Green Dea providers will carry out work to upgrade properties so they become warmer and cheaper to run. Homeowners and tenats will have the opportunity to save money with all the costs to upgrade the property paid back from the savings on energy bills. Green Bank 'could be in Edinburgh' HeraldScotland - 13th January 2011 The UK's new Green Investment bank could be based in Edinburgh, Energy Secretary Chris Huhne has told MSPs. He said the city had a "very special advantage" because its financial institutions had a strong track record in lending to renewable energy companies. But Mr Huhne warned Holyrood's Economy, Energy and Tourism committee that Edinburgh faced stiff competition from other financial centres. The bank, anonounced by the UK Government last year, is being set up with £1 billion of public money to channel private sector funding, which it will raise in similar way to regular banks, into low carbon businesses. Mr Huhne said: "One of the reasons that Edinburgh has a particular claim as the potential site for the GIB is precisely because of the substantial expertise that exists in Edinburgh on the energy financig side." UK & Scotland sign up to low-carbon collaboration with China energyefficiencynews.co.uk - 11th January 2011 UK Energy and Climate Secretary Chris Huhne yesterday pledged to work fomrally with china to promote low-carbon technologies. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by Huhne and Chinese Vice-Premier Li Keqiangm who is on a four-day trade mission to the UK, to establish a UK-China Low Carbon Co-operation (LCC) initiative. "[This] agreement demonstrates that the UK and China want to accelerate the shift to low carbon and are committed to greater collaboration on energy markets and low carbon technology," said Huhne yesterday. Landlords face fines for energy inefficiency guardian.co.uk - 2nd November 2010 The Government is to beef up legislation forcing landlords to pay a fine if the rent properties without proper insulation. The new structures on the quality of homes are included in the "green deal" which the government will announce today and put before parliament in December. By the autumn of 2012, the government says the scheme will enable homeowners to make their house of flat energy-efficient with no immediate payments. Companies would install loft and cavity wall insulation draught proof doors and windows and the homeowner would pay the firm back through their energy bills over up to 20 years. The aim would be for the homeowner to barely notice the repayments due to the lower energy bills. Ministers believe that about 14m of Britons 27m homes, offices and buildings could be fitted with energy-saving measure in the next 10 years and that jobs in the energy efficiency refurbishment sector could rise from its current 27,000 to 100,000. Asking about home energy 'key to transforming housing' UKpropertyshop.co.uk - 23rd October 2010 Asking about the home energy rating of a property is key to making the UK's housing stock more energy efficient. This is the view of Brian Berry, director of external affairs at the Federation of Master Builders, in a news release by the Energy Saving Trust. Speaking at the Cut the Carbon online seminar for businesses, he suggested that in order to make more consumers think about their energy efficiency, there should be more incentives to create demand, such as a reduction in VAT. "The first thing is to actually improve information to consumers so that they can understand what can be done to improve their property and at what cost," he said. "At the moment we have got the energy performance certificates (EPC), but people buying a house rarely give that the due attention because [their decision] is based on location and proximity to a school." Homeowners looking at moving home can check to see what home improvements and products can be implemented to improve the energy efficiency of their property. A home energy report can give households a quick answer to where they could improve their energy performance. Landlords given energy-saving tips

rman.co.uk - 25th October 2010

Landlords have been issued with energy-saving advice to help them keep tenants warm and fuel bills down over the coming winter months.

The National Landlords Association (NLA) issued the tips as part of the UK's Energy Saving Week - which gets underway today (October 25th 2010) - with landlords told to replace the light bulbs in their properties with energy-saving models.

This is because they can use up to 80 per cent less power than older light bulbs.

Landlords were also told to install loft, wall and floor insulation to make sure as little heat is being lost from the property as possible.

"The NLA encourages all landlords to consider ways they can make their properties greener to both help the environment and help reduce their tenant's energy bills," said the organisation's chairman David Salusbury.

This year will be the 14th the Energy Saving Week has been held, with advice on transport matters, insulation and generating energy all to be issued over the next few days.

Asking about home energy 'key to transforming housing'

UKpropertyshop.co.uk - 23rd October 2010

Asking about the home energy rating of a property is key to making the UK's housing stock more energy efficient. This is the view of Brian Berry, director of external affairs at the Federation of Master Builders, in a news release by the Energy Saving Trust.

Speaking at the Cut the Carbon online seminar for businesses, he suggested that in order to make more consumers think about their energy efficiency, there should be more incentives to create demand, such as a reduction in VAT.

"The first thing is to actually improve information to consumers so that they can understand what can be done to improve their property and at what cost," he said.

"At the moment we have got the energy performance certificates (EPC), but people buying a house rarely give that the due attention because [their decision] is based on location and proximity to a school."

Homeowners looking at moving home can check to see what home improvements and products can be implemented to improve the energy efficiency of their property.

A home energy report can give households a quick answer to where they could improve their energy performance.

Energy-saving steps mean 10% emission cut is within reach

thetelegraphandargus.co.uk - 11th October 2010

Bradford Council says it is well on course to achieving carbon reduction targets set by an international environmental campaign in many of its operations.

The 10:10 carbon reduction movement started in Britain as a way to set achievable carbon reduction targets for various organisations, including shops, businesses, offices, schools and local government.
They are aiming for a ten per cent cut in their carbon footprints in 2010.