Improving the energy efficiency of existing homes is a major challenge

(23/08/2007)

Ian Pearson MP, Minister of State for Climate Change and the Environment said that improving the energy efficiency of existing homes is a major challenge and offered to meet with HHIC to discuss new ideas and views about how best to make the necessary progress in this sector.

Speaking recently at HHIC's seminar "Building Energy Alliances", Mr Pearson said: “When you look at the challenge we have in retrofitting existing housing stock in the United Kingdom, it is really quite phenomenal. By 2020 virtually every house in the UK has to have been given the chance to install more energy efficient, cost effective measures. It’s a challenge that is going to require a lot of upskilling and we need to ensure we can give people the right advice on energy and water efficient fittings, and that we can give them proper advice on microgeneration measures that are fit and appropriate for their particular types of property.”

The Minister said he was already talking to bodies such as the Sector Skills Council to ensure skills will be available. He praised the industry for creating new technologies and said he had every confidence the industry could rise to the new challenges.

Roger Webb, Director of the Heating & Hotwater Industry Council, welcomed the Minister’s comments and invitation to meet, saying: “What we have here is an industry which is determined to help the government deliver on tackling climate change through energy efficiency. The industry took on the challenge of the 2003 Energy White Paper, worked with Government and look where we are now with condensing boilers. We have some issues with the new Energy White Paper, but the message is ‘what can we do and how can we work with Government to move on to the next step.’”

Delegates also heard from representatives from the DTI and DEFRA who outlined the current policy issues. Energy suppliers Scottish Power and nPower, along with the Energy Retail Association and Ofgem addressed delegates on supplier issues. EAGA, Baxi and the Energy Saving Trust presented respectively on the challenges for the social housing sector, product manufacturers and changing consumer behaviour.

Related categories:  Energy Conservation   Energy management   Insulation   Legislation and regulations 

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