Insulation and Glazing news from 2024
33 stories, newest first
- December 2024
Consultation on reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings regime launched
The government opened a consultation on 4 December 2024 on reforming Energy Performance Certificates, Display Energy Certificates and air conditioning inspection reports in England and Wales.
Fuller TrustMark audit concludes on solid wall insulation quality
A fuller TrustMark audit into solid wall insulation installed under two government schemes concluded in mid-December 2024, after routine checks found significant work that did not meet the required standard.
Government proposes minimum EPC C for rental properties by 2030
The UK government has proposed raising the minimum energy efficiency standard for privately rented homes in England and Wales to EPC band C by 2030, with new tenancies required to comply by 2028.
- November 2024
ECO4A insulation measures per property rules applied retrospectively
Amendments to the Energy Company Obligation orders limit insulation measures per property and apply retrospectively to installations completed on or after 14th November 2024, under an order made on 31st July 2025.
Legislation to allow combined loft and cavity wall insulation and smart thermostats in GBIS from consultation publication date
The government has confirmed it will legislate to let Great British Insulation Scheme projects install two insulation measures together and fit smart thermostats in low-income homes, backdated to 14 November 2024.
Solid floor and underfloor insulation became installable together under GBIS
Ofgem has confirmed that solid floor insulation and underfloor insulation can be installed together in the same Great British Insulation Scheme retrofit, under rules it says apply from 14 November 2024.
BEAMA publishes position paper urging EPC reform to include indoor air quality
BEAMA has published a position paper calling on Government to widen the Energy Performance Certificate remit so that it assesses the indoor air quality of homes, not only their energy efficiency.
- October 2024
DEEP research finds solid wall insulation can cut energy bills by up to 30 per cent
Research led by Leeds Beckett University has found that insulating the UK's eight million solid walled homes could cut energy bills by up to 30 per cent, with solid wall insulation the single most effective measure studied.
ECIU analysis finds EPC F homes pay £385 more than EPC C homes this winter
ECIU analysis published on 1 October 2024 estimates that homes rated EPC F will pay around £385 more for dual fuel this winter than homes rated EPC C.
Government to consult on private rented sector EPC C standard by 2030
The government has said it will consult by the end of the year on requiring privately rented homes in England to reach EPC C by 2030, as analysis puts the winter bill gap between efficient and inefficient homes at £385.
TrustMark audits identify poor-quality solid wall insulation under ECO4 and GBIS
TrustMark audits in October 2024 found significant poor-quality solid wall insulation installed under ECO4 and GBIS, prompting installer suspensions and a wider government audit.
TrustMark notifies DESNZ of non-compliant external wall insulation installations
TrustMark told the government in October 2024 that a high share of external wall insulation installed under ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme failed to meet the required quality standard.
- September 2024
NIA responds to BS 40104 retrofit assessment code of practice
The National Insulation Association has published its response to the BS 40104 retrofit assessment code of practice, welcoming better quality assessments but warning of significant cost, time and workforce impacts.
Energy Secretary announces warm homes plan for renters
The Energy Secretary has announced plans to ban landlords from renting out properties that fail stricter energy efficiency standards, covering private and social rented housing in England.
Which? publishes consumer research on EPC reform
Which? has published consumer research based on 18 in-depth interviews with UK owner-occupiers, setting out six principles for reforming the content and design of Energy Performance Certificates.
- August 2024
Titon introduces HRV Cool Plus cooling module
Titon has launched the HRV Cool Plus, a matched cooling module for its MVHR systems that supplies filtered and tempered air during warm weather, aimed at homes built under overheating rules.
- July 2024
Retrofit at scale news published
The SD Foundation published a news item on retrofit at scale on 31 July 2024, listed by the Passivhaus Trust alongside its own guidance on upgrading existing homes to the EnerPHit retrofit standard.
Which? investigation finds EPCs inaccurate and calls for reform
Which? has published an investigation finding that most sampled Energy Performance Certificates were inaccurate or carried unhelpful recommendations, and is calling on the government to reform the system.
E3G publishes briefing on a warmer, fairer private rented sector
E3G has published a briefing setting out how a higher energy efficiency standard of EPC C could be delivered in the private rented sector in England and Wales.
Which? published previous report on reforming EPCs
Which? published a policy report in July 2024 on reforming energy performance certificates, based on interviews with 18 homeowners across the UK.
- June 2024
Which? warns EPCs are unreliable and calls for reform
Which? has published mystery shopping research finding that Energy Performance Certificates are often inaccurate and recommend costly improvements, and is calling on the next government to reform them.
- May 2024
Which? publishes policy paper calling for mandatory installer certification
Which? has called for mandatory certification of installers of low carbon heating, micro generation and insulation, plus government oversight of the schemes and a review of Trading Standards Services.
Titon launches HRV Cool Plus with integrated cooling module
Titon has launched the HRV Cool Plus, an MVHR unit with an integrated cooling module rated at up to 3.3kW, aimed at residential overheating where standard ventilation is not enough.
EPC insulation recommendation requirement removed
The requirement for homes to have no outstanding loft and cavity wall insulation recommendations on their Energy Performance Certificate before receiving a Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant was removed on 8 May 2024.
- April 2024
Ofgem price cap from April 2024 puts poorly insulated homes around £340 a year worse off on gas bills
Analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit finds that under Ofgem's April 2024 price cap, homes rated EPC band F pay around £340 a year more for gas than band C homes.
- March 2024
Government removes EPC insulation requirement from Boiler Upgrade Scheme eligibility
The government has removed the Boiler Upgrade Scheme rule requiring no outstanding loft and cavity wall insulation recommendations on a valid EPC, and has consulted on delaying the Clean Heat Market Mechanism.
Nesta responds to Boiler Upgrade Scheme regulations consultation
Nesta has told a government consultation that the Boiler Upgrade Scheme should keep its EPC requirement but drop the rule barring homes with outstanding loft or cavity wall insulation recommendations.
NIA responds to Scottish Government Heat in Buildings Bill consultation
The National Insulation Association has told the Scottish Government it supports its Heat in Buildings Bill proposals but wants solid wall insulation added to the list of measures used to meet minimum energy efficiency standards.
- February 2024
Westminster Hall debate on cavity wall insulation government support
The government has acknowledged poorly executed cavity wall insulation installations and says it is fully committed to protecting consumers with insulation products in their homes.
Which? warns of spray foam insulation scams targeting vulnerable people
Which? reports that the Wales Against Scams Partnership has warned of scammers targeting vulnerable people with dodgy and non-existent insulation offers sold through doorstep, phone and online marketing.
Which? carries out EPC mystery shopping research
Which? sent 12 members for home energy assessments in February and March 2024 and found that eight of the 11 completed cases did not appear accurate.
- January 2024
NEA and EAS launch UK Fuel Poverty Monitor warning 3 million English households will remain in fuel poverty by 2030
National Energy Action and Energy Action Scotland warn that three million English households will still be in fuel poverty by 2030, with an £18 billion funding gap identified in their UK Fuel Poverty Monitor.
Nesta publishes report on how much insulation UK houses really need
Nesta has published a report arguing that insulation is not a prerequisite for heat pumps and proposing that 13 million homes reach EPC C by 2030 at a cost of around £60 billion.