Poor PVC-U - it seems people never tire of bashing it. Over the years various claims have been made about the environmental credentials of PVC-U.

However, perhaps the times they are a changin’ - as Martin Randall, the Chairman of Crystal Direct has created a new initiative to promote the benefits of PVC-U with his new fact sheet: The Truth about PVC-U - Facts & Fibs.

As a consumer it can be really hard to know what to believe, so this new fact sheet really is a great resource. It’s been compiled using a variety independent sources including - Reco Vinyl; Vinyl 2010; PVC Awareness; BPF; PVC Aware; Public Sector News Line; & Friends of the Earth.

The factsheet aims to debunk the myths (or indeed ‘fibs’) we are told about PVC-U and instead present the facts. Highlights include:

Fib: PVC-U Cannot be Recycled

Fact: PVC compounds are 100% recyclable, in fact PVC-U can be recycled over and over again. In 2007 the UK recycled more than 42,000 tonnes of used PVC-U windows and doors.

Fib: PVC-U is dangerous

Fact: Numerous independent studies have been undertaken by such bodies as the World Health Organisation and the European Union, which have repeatedly shown that the material is safe.

“Ministers have made clear that independent evidence such as that from Professor Rappe, the independent scientific advisor to the EU and World health Organisation, demonstrated that PVC is a safe material” - John Battle MP, former Minister of State for Science, Energy and Industry.

Fib: Manufacturing PVC-U harms the environment

Fact: A typical European PVC production plant would have to operate for 30,000 years to produce the same amount of dioxins released into the atmosphere during bonfire night!

“The balance of evidence suggests that there is no alternative material to PVC in it’s major product applications that has less overall effect on the environment.” - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation.

Fib: Alternative materials are just as good as PVC-U when it comes to energy-saving and durability.

Fact: PVC-U is far more thermally efficient than alternative materials and the PVC-U industry is at the forefront of the development of energy efficient window frames. In addition to this, the Building Research Establishment estimates that a typical PVC-U window will have a lifespan of 35 years.

Download the fact sheet in full here - it’s definitely an eye-opening read!

How much do you know about energy saving?

Test yourself with the Big Green Switch’s Energy Saving Quiz:

I managed to get a fairly respectable 8/10. I don’t want to spoil the quiz for anyone else, but let’s just say I was shocked at how much money could be saved per year if home appliances weren’t left on standby!

This week, the Daily Mail reported that Government advisers are suggesting that householders who do not take steps to make their homes greener should face higher council tax and stamp duty.

Those homeowners who do not have either double glazing or insulation would be hammered under the new proposals which are currently being considered by ministers. These proposal were drawn up by an environmental pressure group.

The pressure group would like to see ‘green mortgages’ under which homeowners can apply for loans to make energy efficiency improvements to their home. Improvements might include double glazing, new boilers, solar panels, insulation and so on. However, in addition to this, they would also like to see punishments handed out to those who elect not to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

Ed Milliband (Climate Change Secretary) is expected to welcome the plans for ‘green mortgages’, but will not make any announcement with regard to the potential penalties until later this year.

John Adams (who put together the proposals) said that the ‘green mortgages’ would be unlikely to take off unless the penalties were also implemented, saying that a ‘carrot and stick’ approach needs to be employed.

These penalties could take the form of higher council tax rates and higher stamp duty which could put off potential buyers as and when homeowners elect to sell their homes.

Matthew Sinclair (from the Tax Payers’ Alliance) said:

“It is absolutely shocking that the Government is still threatening new bogus green taxes when taxpayers are already paying a fortune in higher prices for their electricity, gas and petrol thanks to ineffective global warming policies… There is no need for these new taxes that will punish people already paying a heavy price for the Government’s clumsy and failing energy agenda.”

The aim of the ‘green mortgage’ plan is to make repayments so small, that they would be outrstripped by the savings on energy bills - meaning that homeowners will actually save money by taking out the loans.

Officials have calculated that a typical Victorian end of terrace house would spend £10,280 on energy saving measures. This would lead to repayments of £514 per year. However as the energy savings would amount to £802 per year, homeowners would actually make a profit of £288 per year.

Here at SEHBAC we welcome the ‘green mortgage’ scheme as we believe it will make energy efficiency measures within the grasp of far more homeowners. However, we feel that the potential penalties for those who elect not to make these improvements are unfair; particularly as whilst some will be keen to take out loans to make these improvements, the chances are that there will still be many who are unwilling (or indeed unable) to go into debt.

It should be noted that whilst Ed Milliband is expected to back the proposals for green mortgages, he will not make any announcement on the potential stamp duty and council tax penalties until the Autumn. We’ll be watching with interest to see how this all progresses, and of course will provide updates here.

Image credit L’Enfant Terrible

Yesterday the Energy Saving Trust launched Green Communities - a brand new online hub for UK communities, offering free tools and advice to help communities to come together to reduce their carbon footprint.
 
Green Communities aims to support, facilitate and promote community based energy projects - with a great range of online resources, free training and advice on project planning and funding, and of course, technical support.

To access the site, visitors are encourages to become members. Membership is completely free, and members have access to the following:

1. Advice & Support - impartial advice is provided via telephone or email on a variety of issues.
2. Training - there are a variety of free training courses available for community members who would like to know how to go about running a successful community project - the subjects covered include planning, funding, energy auditing, income generation models and much more.
3. Expert Consultancy - access experienced professionals to assist in making decisions for your project at each key stage.
4. Annual Conference - a chance to attend the annual conference, listen to keynote speakers, network and take part in workshops
5. Funding access and advice.
6. Monthly Email Bulletins -  receive regular updates on the latest sustainable energy news.
7. Newsletters - twice per year receive an email showcasing all of the excellent achievements of the network.
8. Community Carbon Footprint Tool - a tool which allows you to estimate your community’s carbon footprint, and update it as and when your project takes effect.
9. Tools & Resources - access to templates and ‘how to’ guides on how to reduce your community’s carbon footprint and deliver projects.
10. Community Projects - access to our case study library and the Green Communities project database so you can learn from projects which others have undertaken. Likewise, you can also elect to share the learnings from your project with other members.
11. Local Support - the opportunity to bid for hands on support from your local advice centre to help you to deliver your energy project.
12. Bursary - receive up to £200 to help your community group develop an energy project. Funding can cover travel costs, events, equipment, room hire etc. 
13. Green Community Heroes - enter your community project for one of our Green Communities recognition awards in partnership with the Guardian newspaper.

Joan Ruddock, MP, Minister of State, DECC, said: 

“Community-wide action is vital if the UK is to meet our greenhouse gas reduction targets and make the transition to a low-carbon future. We know that lots of people want to take action but aren’t sure where to start – the Energy Saving Trust’s Green Communities programme will play a valuable role in helping achieve collective change, street by street, in every community.”

Expert in community engagement, Professor Erik Bichard, University of Salford, said:

“Our most trusted advisors are often the people we find closest to us. Community strength to tackle climate change needs to start somewhere.  The Energy Saving Trust’s Green Communities programme is a way of compelling community leaders to kick-start local action.”

Philip Sellwood, Chief Executive of the Energy Saving Trust, said: 

“We already have 2,000 community groups signed up across the UK and interest is growing daily. We know that by working with communities the potential to influence friends and families is huge.”

Communities across the UK are invited to register for free membership today at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/community or call 0844 848 0077.

Image courtesy of the Energy Saving Trust website.

Want to Go Green?

If you’re thinking about replacing your windows with a more energy efficient alternative, you’ll be pleased to hear that the GGF have launched their carbon calculator.

Who are the GGF?

GGF stands for the Glass and Glazing Federation. The GGF is a trade association for companies who make, supply and fit glass and glazing products.

The calculator was developed by the GGF in conjunction with the government and the Energy Savings Trust who have verified the calculations.

The Carbon Calculator

The Carbon Calculator is a simple tool which allows homeowners to calculate how much they could save on their energy bills, and how much they could reduce their carbon footprint through the installation of energy efficient double glazing.

Best of all it illustrates how the highest rated (’A’ rated) energy efficient windows perform versus those rated ‘B’ to ‘G’. So you can see for yourself the saving you’ll make if you elect to have ‘A’ rated windows installed, versus ‘C’ rated windows.

How to Use the Carbon Calculator

Click here, then simply enter:

1. The type of windows you currently have
2. The kind of property which you live in
3. The approximate size of the windows you are planning to replace
4. The type of fuel you use
5. The rating of your replacement windows

The calculator will then return your annual savings, the total savings made over a period of years and the total amount of carbon you will save.

Here at SEHBAC we think that this is an amazing tool, and will be very useful for consumers who are keen to understand the benefits of installing energy efficient windows; and helping them to decide which rating they should go for.

Further Reading…

If you’re looking at replacing your windows and are particularly interested in energy saving you might find our other blog posts on the subject useful:

Energy Savings - a Question of Trust

What are Energy Efficient Window Ratings?

If you have any questions, or further queries with regard to energy efficiency and/or double glazing we’d be happy to help. Please leave a comment on this post, call us on 0800 666 444 or drop into one of our show centres where our staff will be happy to assist you.

Image credit kevindooley