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

Who to trust?

When seeking advice about anything it’s always difficult to know who to trust. It seems that when it comes to energy savings, consumers are really struggling.

According to a recent survey by the Energy Saving Trust only 17% of consumers trust the energy saving advice of those tradespeople who are undertaking work for them. 

It’s problematic.

We’re not going to sit here and tell you that you should trust us. There are an awful lot of cowboys out there and to be perfectly honest, you’re right to be suspicious.

What are the motivations of those people trying to sell you an energy saving solution? Are they just trying to sell you a more expensive product that you don’t really need?

Unfortunately this hesitancy could cost you dearly. Philip Sellwood, chief executive of the Energy Saving Trust, said “Real cost savings - in terms of labour and minimising disruption - are on offer to householders who employ tradespeople to install energy-efficiency measures when they are in doing other work.”

So, on balance - what’s a green consumer to do if they’re not sure who to trust?

Well, we’d recommend that you take the time to educate yourself. According to the Energy Saving Trust you could save up to £340 annually on your household bills. Plus as all homes for sale or rent now need to have Energy Performance Certificates, a low rating may make your home harder to sell or rent in the future.

So, where to start?

We’ve pulled together a list of impartial resources which we think you might find useful:

The Energy Saving Trust are a non-profit organisation set up to provide free impartial advice on how to save money and fight climate change by reducing carbon dioxide emissions from your home. On their website you can compare products, read more about how to reduce carbon emissions and search for grants.

The BFRC (British Fenestration Rating Council) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the glazing industry’s trade association, the Glass and Glazing Federation. It is the UK’s national system for rating Energy Efficient Windows and on their website you’ll find everything you need to know about the ratings, the labels and what they mean.

The Government also provide guidance and further information on energy savings - offering tips, further explanations and useful links.

You might also like to have a look at the National Energy Federation website - there you can learn more about climate change and how to cut your carbon emissions. They’ve also got a great page where they bust some energy myths - interesting reading.

Finally, check out FENSA, they partner with the Energy Saving Trust and the British Fenestration Rating Council, from an energy savings perspective, so make sure your selected supplier is registered with them - if they’re not, our advice would be to find yourself an alternative supplier.

Obviously if you are looking for help and advice, we’d also be happy to help, why not visit one of our show centres, call us on 0800 666 444 or book a home visit.

Image credit phauly

Back in March, European Finance Ministers voted to allow EU Member States to reduce the VAT rate to 5% on home maintenance and repairs. This marked a victory of sorts for the ‘Cut the VAT‘ coalition who have been campaigning to get the VAT rate for maintenance and repair work reduced to 5%.

At the time, Brian Berry (Director of External Affairs at the Federation of Master Builders) said:

“News that the UK Government now has the option to reduce VAT to five percent on home maintenance and repairs is very exciting as it cannot no longer blame Brussels for not being able to take action.

If the UK Government goes ahead and implements the VAT cut it could mean that many more small building firms will be able to stay in business.

The EU experiment where VAT has already been cut in parts of Europe already proves that a cut will increase Treasury revenue as well having many social benefits such as creating a greener, more energy efficient housing stock and tackling the growing issue of fuel poverty.”

On 20th May, the Federation of Small Businesses added their backing to the campaign following a survey of their members which revealed that 59% of the respondents reported a decrease in business, and 37% were concerned about their financial prospects in the future.

49% of respondents highlighted that the lack of demand in the private and public sector was negatively affecting their business.

As a result the FSB are now working with the FMB in order to campaign for VAT on home improvement to be lowered to 5%.

John Walker (National Policy Chairman for the FSB) said:

“Confidence in the smaller building projects around the country has dropped to a low, and people who were thinking of adding an extension to their home, renovating their bathroom or building a garage, should be given the incentive to go ahead. Lowering the VAT rate on home renovation projects will encourage people to spend their money and give a vital kick-start to the important, but currently beleaguered, construction industry. It will also help the Government to meet its carbon emission targets by encouraging green home renovations.

With more than 300,000 jobs in the sector under threat during the recession, and more than half of smaller construction firms and builders across the UK warning they will have to lay off staff in coming months, the construction industry needs support today.”

To find out more about the benefits of cutting VAT on Home Improvements why not visit the Cut the VAT website, and add your support to the campaign. The benefits of a reduced rate of VAT include:

1. Economic Benefits - increased employment, and a potential increase in actual tax take, as despite the VAT rate decrease, the number of projects undertaken should increase.
2. Reduce the number of rogue builders - many ‘cowboys’ flourish by evading VAT altogether thereby offering customers cheaper deals; a reduced rate of VAT would level the playing field and allow reputable traders to compete with their pricing.
3. Reduce the number of empty homes - surprisingly there are over 700,000 empty homes in England alone; but the cost of repairing them to make them fit for habitation is too high - a reduction in VAT would help alleviate this.  
4. Reduce the number of those living in substandard housing as people will be more readily able to afford repairs.
5. Protect the countryside - by making home repair and improvement work more affordable, it would encourage the use of existing structures rather than continuing the development of greenbelt land.
6. Stop the destruction of decent existing buildings - the difference between having to pay 17.5% VAT on building repair work and not having to pay any VAT on new buildings can lead to perfectly good existing structures being demolished and then rebuilt for tax reasons.
7. Increase the number of zero-carbon homes - The most cost-effective way of increasing the energy efficiency of buildings is when they undergo major renovation, however currently the VAT rates are heavily weighted in favour of demolition and new build as opposed to refurbishment - 0% VAT on new homes versus 17.5% on the renovation and repair of existing homes.
8. Help tackle fuel poverty - the number of people living in fuel poverty in this country has doubled since 2004. If the VAT was cut on energy efficient home improvements, more people would be able to afford to make these improvements, and save money on their heating bills.
9. Help preserve our national heritage - Britain’s national heritage is threatened by the VAT burden that repairs and maintenance work carries. Buildings of significant historical interest will continue to be lost to modern developments unless the costs of their maintenance can be reduced.
10. Allow disabled people to have essential renovations made to their homes - charging VAT on this building work can reduce the available grant by up to 17.5 per cent (reducing the current maximum grant of £30,000 to £24,750).

Image credit - Cut the VAT Coalition.