On Tuesday 18th October 2011, the Energy Bill received Royal Assent and became the Energy Act 2011. The Energy Act provides a legislative framework and a step change in the provision of energy efficient measures to homes and businesses. The purpose is to secure low-carbon energy supplies and fair competition in energy markets.

A consultation period is now under review until 12th January 2012, the consultation will seek views on the details of the Green Deal and ECO policies that are to be implemented in secondary legislation and under the energy licensing framework.

The Act includes provisions on:

Green Deal

The Act creates a new financing framework to enable the provision of fixed improvements to the energy efficiency of households and non-domestic properties, funded by a charge on energy bills that avoids the need for consumers to pay upfront costs.

At a local level, the Green Deal will enable many households and businesses to improve the energy efficiency of their properties so less energy is consumed and less money is wasted. The key focus of the new energy company obligation – or “ECO” will be on those householders who cannot achieve significant energy savings without an additional or different measure of support. For example, this includes vulnerable and low-income households and those living in harder to treat properties, such as solid walled properties. A quarter of the UK’s carbon emissions comes from the energy used in homes and a similar amount comes from our businesses, industry and workplaces.

At a national level, the UK needs to become more energy efficient to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, which risk dangerous climate change. The Climate Change Act 2008 legislated for a reduction in our carbon emissions and set legally-binding carbon budgets across all sectors of the UK economy — including our homes, communities and the workplace.

Private Rented Sector

The Act includes provisions to ensure that from April 2016, private residential landlords will be unable to refuse a tenant’s reasonable request for consent to energy efficiency improvements where a finance package, such as the Green Deal and/or the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), is available.

Provisions in the Act also provide for powers to ensure that from April 2018, it will be unlawful to rent out a residential or business premise that does not reach a minimum energy efficiency standard (the intention is for this to be set at EPC rating ‘E’).

Energy Company Obligation (ECO)

The Act amends existing powers in the Gas Act 1986, Electricity Act 1989 and the Utilities Act 2000 to enable the Secretary of State to create a new ECO that will:

• Take over from existing obligations to reduce carbon emissions (the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) and Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP)), which expire at the end of 2012.
• Work alongside the Green Deal finance offer by targeting appropriate measures at those households likely to need additional support – in particular those containing vulnerable people on low incomes and in hard-to-treat housing.

ECO will be integrated with the Green deal, allowing supplier subsidy and Green Deal Financing to come together into one seamless offer to the consumer.

Green Deal – Consumer Journey

Opportunity

For the industry, the Green Deal will present an opportunity for a large number of contractors to become certified advisors and installers to improve energy efficiency, energy security and enable low carbon technologies for each property. Training for both installers and advisors is available at the Greenworks Training Academy.

Training courses include:

• Assessor courses – Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA), On Construction Energy Assessor (OCEA), Non-Domestic Energy Assessment (NDEA).
• Microgeneration Quality Assurance Training and Manual (MCS).
• Installation courses – Solar Thermal, Solar PV, Heat Pumps, Rainwater Harvesting, Underfloor Heating, External wall insulation.

For more information or to download the training prospectus please visit Greenworks.

Subsidies paid to households who install solar panel technology are set to be cut by ministers this year, in a controversial move by the coalition government.

The move will reduce the amount currently being paid to homeowners, as ministers admit that the original rate was set “embarrassingly” high.

The number of solar technology installations has almost doubled since the subsidies were implemented; since June, more than 85,000 business and homeowners have taken advantage of the scheme,

Any property with retrofit solar technology installed with a capacity of up to 4KW will see the rate cut more than half from 43.3 pence per kilowatt-hour to just 21 pence. These changes will not affect homeowners who currently have solar technology installed in their household.

The changes are due to come into effect on the 12^th December 2011, meaning homeowners have only a few weeks remaining if they want to take advantage of the current rates. Experts are predicting high demand for solar panel technology installations over the coming months as a result.

The move has drawn a lot of criticism, with Friends of the Earth threatening legal action against the government after claiming that the actions are unlawful. The organisation claims the government promised the rates would remain unchanged until April 2012.

In December 2010, the Energy Bill was introduced to parliament, which included requirements for a new ‘Green Deal’, set to rejuvenate the energy efficiency of UK properties. Earlier this month, a document was released which provided some clarity on what the new Green Deal will cover.

The Green Deal is a government led initiative to help households meet the upfront cost of making homes more energy efficient. Due to be launched late in 2012, the ‘Green Deal’ will allow for the installation of energy efficient measures which will be paid for using the savings on the fuel bill.

Although a definitive list of included technologies has not been formally released, it is strongly suggested the following will be included:

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning: Condensing boilers; Heating controls; Under-floor heating; Heat recovery systems; Mechanical ventilation (non-domestic); Flue gas recovery devices.

Building Fabric: Cavity wall insulation; Loft insulation; Flat roof insulation; Internal wall insulation; External wall insulation; Draught proofing; Floor insulation; Heating system insulation (cylinder, pipes); Energy efficient glazing and doors.

Lighting: Lighting fittings; Lighting controls.

Water Heating: Innovative hot water systems; Water efficient taps and showers.

Microgeneration: Ground and air source heat pumps; Solar thermal; Solar PV; Biomass boilers; Micro-CHP.

Homeowners will only be eligible for the new incentive if they can meet one ‘golden rule’ which is that they will redeem the cost of the installation within 25 years, through the savings they make as a result of reduced bills.

On top of that, it was also announced by climate change minister Greg Barker that there are:

• Plans to set up a new Green Deal Code to protect customers.
• Plans to set up a new Green Deal advice line for consumers.
• The formal appointment of the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) that will accredit Green Deal installers and assessors.

The news has been welcomed throughout the industry, with chief executive of the UK Green Building Council, Paul King announcing:

“The Government recognised it needed to address the cost of Green Deal finance, by using the Green Investment Bank as a vehicle to attract private investment. This week Government has taken important actions to safeguard the consumer,” he said.

“These are encouraging steps towards ensuring the Green Deal is a success and are to be welcomed. The next big challenge is how to incentivise take-up on a mass scale.”

As soon as more information is available on the new ‘Green Deal’, Greenworks will be announcing it here.

Members of the Jewson team will be guest speakers at this years Greenbuild Expo 2011 to talk about sustainable building solutions and how the construction sector is aiming towards implementing greener practices. As industry experts, Jewson will host two separate guest speaker appearances over two days. Steve Millward, Malcolm Gough and Steve Warwick will be talking about ‘The role of builders’ merchant in delivering the green agenda’ and ‘The Greenworks Training Academy’ to showcase how their academies offer the very best in renewable energy training.

The event will host seminar programmes, innovative technology showcases and workshop sessions for all to get involved. There will also be training sessions available to all that attend, aiming at all disciplines which include the built environment, installers to planners and giving visitors the chance to gain skills needed to build and refurbish in a more eco-friendly way.

The event has grown in popularity in the last few years, and a great majority of past attendees deemed that the event catered for their needs with solutions, research and information for current and future projects. The event will also provide Jewson with a chance to promote, develop and encourage sustainable construction and refurbishment, as well as further raising the profile of the Jewson brand and sister brands, such as Greenworks.

The event will be held from 29th-30th June 2011 and will be held in Manchester Central, Manchester.

To find out more, check out the Greenbuild Expo website by clicking here.

- £860m government scheme expected to increase green capital investment by £4.5 billion up to 2020, stimulating a new market in renewable heat.
- Incentive to increase number of industrial, commercial and public sector installations by seven times to 2020.
- A full system of RHI payments will be available to households from October 2012.
- In the interim, more than a quarter of the first years budget to be guaranteed for up to 25,000 household installations through a “RHI Premium Payment” to encourage take-up.

Half of the UK’s carbon emissions come from the energy that produces heat and 95% of heat in the UK is currently produced using fossil fuels. It is hoped that the new scheme will encourage the installation of equipment such as renewable heat pumps, biomass boilers and solar thermal panels to reduce emissions and support the existing 150,000 jobs in the heating industry.

The government will pay out for the tariffs for 20 years to eligible technologies that have been installed since 15th July 2009 with payments being made for each kWh (Kilowatt hour) of renewable heat produced. The tariff payments will start for homes alongside the Green Deal from 2012 to allow a more whole-house approach to heat production and energy saving.

Since the launch it has been decided that Air Source Heat Pumps will not be included in the scheme as they need ‘to better understand the costs associated with the technology’ before they can be included in the RHI. The government explained that ground source and water source heat pumps would attract the initial incentive which starts in July 2011, but ground source heat pumps will now not be considered as part of the scheme until at least 2012.

To read the Press Notice in full, simply click here.

The guide offers advice on legislation and government incentives as well as providing an overview of sustainable products and practices for both new build and RMI projects, which has been promoted and was available at this year’s EcoBuild event.

Malcolm Gough, Market Director of Sustainability at Jewson commented on the announcement, stating:

“Sustainable building is quite literally in the hands of our construction professionals and as such, we developed the Jewson Sustainable Building Guide to provide clear and unbiased guidance on how to adapt day-to-day working practices to ensure a more sustainable build.

By helping make sense of sustainability – the Jewson Sustainable Building Guide can encourage industry professionals to build better, look to new markets and make the changes the UK requires. We are absolutely delighted that the Jewson Sustainable Building Guide has been recognised and shortlisted in the Climate Week Awards. It has proved hugely popular with customers and it will continue to play an integral part in Jewson’s drive to promote and support sustainable building.”

The Sustainable Building Guide is one of four finalists in this category and the winner will be announced on 21 March at the official Climate Week launch event.

Download your copy of the Sustainable Building Guide by clicking here.

Jewson, the UK’s leading supplier of timber and sustainable building materials, was present last week at the esteemed EcoBuild 2011 event. The event was a chance for Jewson to showcase the future of design, construction and the built environment, as well as their latest developments and new product launches. The event took place in the ExCeL arena in London, and Jewson were joined by 1,300 exhibitors which shows the sheer magnitude and popularity of the event.

The Jewson stand was accompanied by sister brands in the Graham Group and Greenworks which collectively formed a giant triangular maze which visitors were able to work their way through whilst finding different sustainable building and product solutions along the way, such as sustainable building fabric solutions, solar panels and water saving products.

Jewson and Greenworks Stand at EcoBuild 2011.

The Jewson team we celebrating trading for 175 years and were adopting the celebration logo, they had 1,500 copies of the new Jewson Sustainable Building guide to give out to visitors of the event, but demand soon outstripped supply, meaning extras copies had to be shipped in. All in all, a staggering 3,500 copies were distributed during the 3 day event.

Malcolm Gough, Market Director of Sustainability at Jewson attended the event and managed the stand stated “Overall the event was a roaring success for Jewson and all connections to the company. The event was a great way to showcase our offer and commitment in leading the market and being able to boast one of the busiest stands, this clearly positioned Jewson as the leader of the supply of sustainable building solutions and the merchant choice at the event.”

Download your copy of the Sustainable Building Guide by clicking here.

Back in October 2010, the coalition government backed plans in its comprehensive spending review to go ahead with a new Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). Now the plan is expected to go ahead in June of this year, but what exactly is this new scheme?

The RHI has been designed to reward individuals, communities and businesses who switch from using fossil fuel for heating to renewables such as wood fuel. The scheme is very similar to the Feed-In-Tariff (FIT), which was another energy saving incentive that was introduced through the same legislation – The Energy Act 2008, with the RHI offering a greater rate of return. The RHI will also help to develop industry and support jobs in the forestry industry, which supplies fuel.

The concept is that you replace your existing fossil fuel heating system (such as gas, oil or coal) with a renewable heating technology (such as wood fuel). If these changes are made then you should expect to see a set paid amount arrive in to your bank account every year as an incentive for your sustainability efforts, and for reducing your personal carbon footprint.

The government are not proposing to measure the heat generated from installations. Instead, an estimated figure will be used to work out payments, which will represent the amount of heat energy needed to warm up your home and/or water (so the amount you receive will be dependent on the size of your home/building, its age, and any technology within your household/offices).

Some of the eligible technologies included in the scheme are:

• Solar thermal
• Air to water Heat pumps
• Ground-source Heat pumps

If you have any further questions regarding the scheme, then check out these FAQs in relation to the Renewable Heat Incentive.

Jewson, the UK’s leading supplier of sustainable timber and building materials, will be in attendance at this years EcoBuild event, in which members of the Jewson team will be demonstrating the vital role it plays in helping customers to understand the process of building new and renovating existing properties, using sustainable products and building methods.

The Jewson stand will take a great deal of inspiration from their already popular Sustainable Building Guide, which was launched back in November 2010. The guide offers advice on legislation and government incentives and provides an overview of sustainable products and practices for both new build and RMI projects. Visitors to the Jewson stand will be able to pick up a free copy of the guide and have a chance to talk to the team about the best ways to combat sustainability issues.

Ecobuild has also presented the opportunity for Greenworks to feature alongside Jewson. Greenworks will have the chance to present their training and consultancy support on a variety of sustainable solutions via e-leaning and practical multi-disciplinary courses. There will also be more details available on the Greenworks Training Academy, which has recently opened in Birmingham, providing multi-disciplinary courses for enhancing existing skills and acquiring new ones.

“Sustainable practices need to be adopted throughout the entire supply chain and merchants are in an ideal position to play a pivotal role,” commented Malcolm Gough, Market Manager for Sustainable Solutions at Jewson. “As the leading sustainable builders’ merchant, our presence at Ecobuild is a reflection of our commitment to sustainable building and the promotion of greener building practices to the industry.”

If you are interested in talking to the Jewson team, then visit them at stand N1830 of the Ecobuild event and you will also be able to collect a copy of The Sustainable Building Guide.

Currently, over a quarter of the UK’s CO2 emissions come from homes and the government plans to cut these emissions by 80% by 2050.

In a summary of his statement, Mr Shapps stated that “This Government is committed to ensuring that new build homes post-2016 do not add extra carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere – whilst ensuring that the costs of building new homes do not prevent appropriate and sustainable development.”

The Housing Minister also shed some light on the research conducted, which started back in July when the Government assigned The Zero Carbon Hub to achieve the target, with the help of the Hubs developers, green groups and partners. The Government will have to consider decisions on the Renewable Heat Incentive and the Climate Change Committee’s recent advice on grid decarbonisation before announcing their conclusions next year.

Furthermore, Mr Shapps declared that: ‘Many interested parties have argued for a community energy fund, enabling zero carbon to be met partly through contributions to a fund used to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, allowing developers to meet their carbon obligations cost-effectively.’

‘It will be important that any approach operates in a way that demonstrates transparently that real carbon savings are achieved. We will now work with local authorities and industry on how best to do that.’

Recommendations put forward from The Zero Carbon Hub were to look beyond energy efficiency measures to reduce CO2 emissions and to start building homes with renewable energy technologies on site.
Further to his statement, Mr Shapps declared that a similar process will be called into action for non-domestic buildings, as well as new homes, which demonstrates “the Governments intentions to raise the national regulatory requirements for non-domestic buildings between now and 2019, enabling them to be zero carbon from 2019.”