Industry News

Consumers and energy firms 'should collaborate' to consider insulation

It would be useful for consumers to be given the chance to collaborate with energy companies in order to see how things like insulation products could improve the energy efficiency of their homes, an expert suggests.

E.ON UK's chief executive Dr Paul Golby has highlighted just how important energy efficiency can be when it comes to the finances of householders.

He stated: 'Our vision for the future is one where energy suppliers work with their customers to find the best possible solution for them, which could be through better insulation.'

Dr Golby went on to note the positive implications that the Household Energy Management Strategy recently released by ministers could have for the UK.

Meanwhile, Penrith's Eden Mind centre might be set to benefit from better insulation in the near future, after E.ON offered financial support to the organisation earlier this year in a bid to enhance its energy efficiency.

© Adfero Ltd

Home insulation campaign launched in Scotland

A new campaign in Scotland has been introduced in a bid to try and improve people's focus on home insulation products.

The scheme is designed to get homeowners to realise that insulation might benefit them in a financial sense, as well as helping the environment.

Roseanna Cunningham, environment minister for the Scottish government, believes that lower energy bills could arise from the introduction of insulation.

'Loft insulation is effective for at least 40 years and, assuming an average insulation cost of £250, will pay for itself in just two years,' she stated.

The government's attempt to highlight the importance of insulation forms part of its wider Go Greener campaign.

Meanwhile, the Confederation of British Industry has also recently called on the UK government to help people gain more access to insulation in their homes, with the organisation noting a variety of potential green measures that ministers could look into.

© Adfero Ltd

Tax changes 'might increase take-up' of insulation products

The country's workforce should be given more help to introduce insulation products to their properties, according to one organisation.

In a bid to improve the UK's green credentials, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) suggests that ministers should consider looking at how certain tax regulations could be amended to help companies promote home insulation to their employees.

The organisation also believes that smart meters should be made available to householders more quickly.

Director of business environment at the CBI Dr Neil Bentley claims that ministers should aim to take environmental action in the near future.

'The government needs to take action now to incentivise consumers to make energy efficient choices and ensure it provides the right framework to spur on businesses to develop exciting new products,' he stated.

The body has outlined a variety of proposals in its new Tackling Climate Change Closer to Home document.

Meanwhile, the potential financial benefits offered by home insulation have also recently been suggested by RatedPeople.com's chief executive officer Andrew Skipwith.

© Adfero Ltd

Energy savings 'could make up for initial home insulation costs'

The longer-term benefits offered by home insulation could outweigh the amount it initially costs householders, an expert has suggested.

RatedPeople.com's Andrew Skipwith believes that people might benefit from things like insulation if they have a fixed heating tariff which is due to finish in the near future.

Mr Skipwith, the website's chief executive owner and founder, has pointed out that the price of insulation and double glazing may be a factor that dissuades consumers from installing them.

However, he added: 'Were their heating bills to increase after the beginning of March, they could soon find that such measures will pay for themselves much more quickly.'

The expert also highlighted the potential benefits that may arise because of energy efficient projects like the government's boiler scrappage scheme.

Groundwork and Ipsos MORI figures recently suggested that many Londoners are currently having to deal with a lack of home insulation.

© Adfero Ltd

Russian property owners set for more home insulation?

The level of demand for insulation products in Russia is to be the subject of a new report.

A number of areas are touched upon in the market analysis, which is being made available by Global Research & Data Services.

While the document may provide useful information to those concerned with the home insulation market, it is also expected to look at the popularity of different insulation materials.

The research firm suggests that the near future may see insulation become more prominent in the Russian market.

It has noted that a greater focus on energy efficiency may be one factor that leads to the development of this trend.

Meanwhile, in the UK market, Groundwork and Ipsos MORI research recently highlighted the lack of insulation that many of the capital's domestic properties appear to possess.

The firm's chief executive Tony Hawkhead has noted the financial importance that insulation can have.

© Adfero Ltd

Many Londoners 'lacking insulation products'

A number of the capital's residents do not have sufficient insulation products in their properties, new research suggests.

Figures from Groundwork and Ipsos MORI show that a lack of loft insulation was reported by as many as 31 per cent of the London-based respondents polled in a recent survey.

Groundwork's chief executive Tony Hawkhead believes that insulation can play an important role both in financial terms and when it comes to the issue of heat.

He commented: 'What we need is a network of experienced advisors, skilled in providing support to communities, to help them navigate the red tape and paperwork.'

The research from Mr Hawkhead's organisation has also revealed that residents in other parts of the country often have greater amounts of cavity wall insulation than those living in London.

Meanwhile, householders in Scotland have been able to take advantage of the country's Home Insulation Scheme in recent weeks, to improve their energy efficiency.

© Adfero Ltd

Home insulation highlighted by rising energy bills

New figures have suggested that energy customers could see a rise of £250 in their power bills, which could inspire a rise in the number of people installing home insulation.

Statistics published by uSwitch.com have shown that energy customers face the rise when their fixed-price deals come to an end, which will emphasise energy efficiency.

Thomas Lyon, energy expert at uSwitch.com, claimed that this is becoming an increasingly important decision for customers.

He said: 'Many of the households about to lose the protection of a fixed price energy plan are coming back onto a market that will look very different from a few years ago … this will come as a shock to many.'

The price comparison website has urged homeowners to take steps to try and reduce their energy prices by as much as possible.

Earlier this month, it was reported that the Scottish government's Home Insulation Scheme has offered many people north of the border help to achieve a higher level of energy efficiency.

© Adfero Ltd

M&S staff to benefit from insulation products?

Insulation products are being offered to people employed by Marks & Spencer, in a move which could lower the carbon emissions of a number of homeowners.

While some conditions will apply, it is thought that as many as 30,000 households could benefit from free insulation if the scheme meets its full potential.

M&S Energy's head Stephen Langford has noted the environmental and financial plus-points that can stem from insulation.

He commented: 'Insulating your home saves you money and helps in the fight against climate change, a genuine win-win situation.'

Meanwhile, the director of the company's Plan A scheme Richard Gillies has also pointed out that staff taking part in Marks & Spencer's free insulation project could find themselves becoming 'advocates for energy efficiency'.

A number of people in Scotland are also said to have received insulation-related support in recent weeks, thanks to the country's Home Insulation Scheme, which is financially backed by the Scottish government.

© Adfero Ltd

Home insulation initiative 'offering Scots support'

A home insulation project in Scotland is providing energy efficiency guidance to a number of the country's residents.

It has been confirmed that as many as 5,500 people could now benefit from insulation thanks to the Home Insulation Scheme which is backed by the Scottish government.

Alex Neil, the country's housing and communities minister, believes that things like insulation can help consumers to have a hand in tackling climate change.

He added: 'Importantly this is helping [to] make homes warmer and [reducing] fuel bills - we've all been reminded how important this is by the freezing conditions this winter.'

The financial support provided by the scheme, which currently stands at £15 million, is to go up to a sum of £25 million next year, the Scottish government has confirmed.

Meanwhile, some people on Middlesbrough's Easterside estate could gain access to better insulation in the future, following Low Carbon Community Challenge support.

© Adfero Ltd

Morpeth council 'uses funding to install insulation'

A leading local authority has announced that it will be giving funding to improve the energy efficiency of its community centres, including installing insulation products.

Morpeth Town Council is to give £50,000 to its facilities in both St James and Storey Park in order to bring about the solution, the Morpeth Herald reported.

Insulation, double glazing and heating systems are all features which could be installed with the money, although the approach used in each instance will need to be tailored to the buildings themselves.

Gillian Turner, the town clerk, tells the source that installing the insulation in the Storey Park facility will be more difficult as there is no existing roofing space.

According to the news provider, special cladded boards will be used to complete the task.

In other news, Jane Davidson of the Welsh Assembly has backed community schemes throughout the country which are dedicated to improving energy efficiency and to generating electricity.

© Adfero Ltd