Insulation and Glazing News: page 4
- 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.
- December 2023
Aereco announces new MVHR range
Aereco has announced a new mechanical ventilation with heat recovery range, led by the InspirAIR Top Premium unit, which the company says carries Passiv Haus certification and recognition in the PCDB database.
Energy Systems Catapult report finds EPCs undermining decarbonisation efforts
Energy Systems Catapult has published a report arguing that domestic Energy Performance Certificates should be reformed, proposing three new metrics and Digital Building Passports to align the system with Net Zero.
ECIU publishes analysis of impact of scrapping MEES on renters in marginal seats
ECIU analysis says scrapping planned Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards could leave around 2.8m privately rented homes without improvements, with renters in marginal seats facing £40m a year in extra bills.
Aereco launches new MVHR range
Aereco has added a new mechanical ventilation with heat recovery range to its UK product line, announced on its homepage alongside its existing demand controlled ventilation systems.
- November 2023
Which? publishes Priority Places for Insulation Index mapping UK insulation need
Which? has published an interactive index ranking UK local areas by home insulation need, fuel poverty and the availability of insulation installers, with 13.3 million households estimated to need loft insulation.
Bristol City Council publishes V.3.1 Statement of Intent for ECO4 and Great British Insulation Scheme Flex
Bristol City Council has published version 3.1 of its flexible eligibility Statement of Intent for ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme, setting out four routes and seven proxies for identifying eligible households.
GGF reports 98% of homes losing energy through underperforming windows
The Glass and Glazing Federation says 98 per cent of UK homes are losing energy through underperforming windows, in research published on its environmental hub.
GGF reports 98% of UK windows would fail current standards if installed today
The Glass and Glazing Federation says 98 per cent of UK windows would fail current standards if installed today, and puts the annual saving from replacing pre-2002 windows at up to £4.1 billion.
Which? launches priority places for insulation index and calls for insulation support for vulnerable households
Which? has published an index scoring all 650 UK constituencies for insulation need and called on the government to ensure support reaches fuel poor and vulnerable households.
- October 2023
Safestyle enters administration and FENSA suspends its approval
Safestyle announced on 30 October 2023 that it had gone into administration, and FENSA suspended the firm as a FENSA Approved Installer the same day.
National Insulation Association submits response to Scottish Government EPC reform consultation
The National Insulation Association has told the Scottish Government it backs a separate fabric rating on reformed EPCs, a five-year validity period and wider installer choice for Home Energy Scotland funding.
Changeworks and Melville Housing Association install external wall insulation in Penicuik
Changeworks has overseen external wall insulation at two Melville Housing Association properties in Penicuik, part of a wider programme targeting 75 homes in Midlothian.
Great British Insulation Scheme launched
The UK Government expanded the ECO scheme to include the Great British Insulation Scheme in October 2023, with 2,723 Scottish households recorded as having benefited by February 2025.
UKGBC adds Window Insulation coating to its solutions resource
The UK Green Building Council added an insulating window coating for retrofit to its solutions resource in October 2023, listing it as an energy-saving alternative to window replacement.
- September 2023
Prime Minister delivers speech relaxing Net Zero policies
The Prime Minister's September 2023 Net Zero speech delayed fossil fuel car and boiler phase-outs and dropped planned energy efficiency rules for rented homes, prompting the Climate Change Committee to warn the UK is unlikely to meet its 2030 emissions target.
Sunak announces delays to core net-zero policies in "new approach" speech
Rishi Sunak has delayed the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars to 2035, pushed the off-gas-grid fossil heating phaseout to 2035 and scrapped rental energy efficiency rules.
GBIS and HUG schemes open for applications with new eligibility checker
The Great British Insulation Scheme and Home Upgrade Grant opened for applications on 14 September 2023, with a government eligibility checker directing households to their supplier or council.
Great British Insulation Scheme opens
The government opened its £1 billion Great British Insulation Scheme on 14 September 2023, with an online eligibility checker and a phone line for households in lower council tax bands.
Which? publishes research on homeowner insulation attitudes and calls for government action
Which? has published research showing few UK homeowners are insulating their homes despite worries about energy bills, and called on the government to improve advice and EPCs.
Titon launches HRV4 Q Plus MVHR range
Titon has added the HRV4 Q Plus to its mechanical ventilation with heat recovery range, a 600mm wide unit rated at up to 158 l/s airflow and up to 91% heat recovery.
BSI publishes updated PAS 2035/2030:2023 standards
The British Standards Institution published updated PAS 2035/2030:2023 retrofit standards in September 2023, with the 2019 versions withdrawn at midnight on 30th March 2025.
UK government launches new insulation funding for up to 300,000 households
The UK government launched funding for up to 300,000 eligible households to install insulation, as Which? research found few homeowners are looking into insulation despite concern about energy bills.