Full support for GGF Window Energy Rating Fight from Yorkshire!

As you may have noticed from previous posts, Conservatory Outlet are fully behind the campaign for 5% VAT to be applied to Energy Efficient Windows.

And we're pleased to hear that the GGF have been lobbying at a fringe meeting at the Labour Party conference on behalf of the double glazing industry.

The GGF highlighted the work the industry was doing in the area of energy efficiency and argued the case for the Government to introduce policies and incentives which stimulate demand for the products with the most energy-saving potential such as windows at a fringe meeting at the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth last week. Hosted by Dr Phyllis Starkey MP, who is Chair of the CLG Select Committee which is currently undertaking an inquiry into 'The existing housing stock and climate change'. The Federation was represented by Rick Wilberforce, Nigel Rees, Simon Jarman, Catherine Hogan and Steve Rice. Other attendees included representatives from CABE, The Fabian Society, CPA, ESHA, and De Havilland.

Rick Wilberforce started the discussions by indicating that industry had invested significantly into improving its products to such an extent that a good replacement window today is twice as energy efficient as its double glazed predecessor of less than ten yeas ago. If these Energy Efficient Windows - as they are known - were reused to replace the glazing in a single glazed house it would reduce its annual emissions annual emissions typically by more than one tonne of CO2 - a significant contribution when you realise that an average house emits six tonnes.

'And yet one third of all windows in Britain's homes are still single glazed. And, moving to the bigger picture, if each one of these single glazed windows were replaced by an Energy Efficient Window, Britain would emit over nine million fewer tonnes of CO2 a year. In addition if 'old' double glazed windows were replaced by Energy Efficient Windows, Britain would save a further five million tonnes of CO2.

'In total therefore, the replacement of pre-2002 windows with modern windows has the potential to reduce Britain's CO2 emissions by over fourteen million tonnes a year. And at current fuel prices, this would reduce domestic expenditure on energy by £2.4 billion a year.' He added.

Rick stated that if the UK was to meet its carbon reduction targets, it would need a contribution from every sector, not just the low hanging fruit. And that meant the right permutation of carrots and sticks - regulatory and fiscal - by government.

Nigel Rees then focussed on the work the GGF is doing in relation to Project Green which was being run along two streams one relating to environmental credentials and the other on the positive impact of Energy Efficient Windows on energy saving and CO2 emission reductions.

He also took the opportunity to discuss the industry's window energy rating scheme run by the British Fenestration Ratings Council (BFRC) and how at last it was possible to easily demonstrate to consumers the benefits of installing EEWs in their homes using the consumer friendly A-G label recognisable from other products such as fridges and lightbulbs.

Having focussed on what industry has been doing Nigel then looked at the fact that it was imperative that Government also played its part by introducing policies or mechanisms to encourage building owners to purchase the most energy efficient options when replacing their windows. 'The market needs a 'nudge' and this nudge should be in the form of an incentive to the consumer, from Government' he said. He clarified that industry was not seeking funding from Government for itself but rather as a means by which the consumer feels more encouraged to replace his or her non efficient windows. Suggestions included:

1. Reduced rates of VAT on the installation of Energy Efficient Windows.
The installation of virtually every other domestic energy saving measure is already subject to a reduced VAT rate of 5%. Energy Efficient Windows are however subject to the full 17.5%. There is no rational reason why bands A to C windows should not also be included in the 5% category. Incidentally, this would also assist with levelling the playing field against the less reputable company who avoids VAT. If you support the idea of a 5% rate on Energy Efficient Windows, you can make an instant practical response by signing Early Day Motion 1268 ('VAT rates on double glazed windows'), today!

2. Energy Performance Certificates
These new certificates should be utilised to encourage the installation of measures. There could for example be some form of grant following the production of an Energy Performance Certificate, if the suggested improvements are installed.

3. Stamp Duty
When a house is sold there could be some form of linkage between Stamp Duty and energy performance. The precedent has already been set with the government's abolition of Stamp Duty on zero carbon homes. This principle should be extended so that the Duty varies according to the certificated energy performance of the house. Alternatively there could be a 'cashback' if the improvements listed in the Certificate were undertaken by the purchaser, within a set period of time, to bring the property up to an improved level of energy efficiency.

4. Building Regulations
The next revision of Part L of the Building Regulations, the minimum standard for compliance for replacement windows should be raised from the current Band E to band C.

Nigel concluded: 'I believe that achieving the UK's demanding carbon reduction targets can only be achieved if the energy efficiency industry and government work in partnership. Industry, such as the Glass and Glazing Federation and its Members, can and do develop products to make our buildings more energy efficient. We also continually strive to reduce our own carbon footprint - after all it is invariably good business practice to do so. But government must introduce policies and incentives which stimulate demand for the products with the most energy-saving potential. Glass and windows deserve to be embraced by such measures.'