Regulations To Implement Energy Efficiency In The UK

| Thursday, May 26, 2011
By Michael Regis


The British government has announced new measures designed to improve the energy efficiency of the nation. A core component of the measures are new rules for landlords who lease out dangerously cold and drafty accommodation. Chris Huhne, the climate Change Secretary has affirmed the government dedication to energy efficiency in the UK. The bold announcements come after press speculation on green policies.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Huhne said homeowners are going to be able to borrow loans from their local supermarket chain to finance any needed adjustments to create efficient households nationwide. The loans will be for vital changes such as installation of double glazing or insulating solid walls. It is estimated that these new measures will have to be implemented in around 680,000 buildings across the UK over the next seven years to meet standards.

Huhne also shocked many in the House of Commons by announcing that landlords who did not implement changes to ensure a certain standard of efficiency in their properties would face penalties. If they failed to make greener adjustments such as insulating cavity walls, landlords will be punished. The punishment is still being decided, however it will most likely be a fine and is planned to commence from 2018.

The measures aim to tackle the serious problem of tenants living in dangerously drafty residences. They were welcomed by environmental campaigners who believe that making landlords meet a basic standard of home insulation will protect vulnerable families from the risk of fuel poverty and high energy bills. The association that represents landlords, the British Property Federation (BPF) broadly welcomed the measures.

The new rules for landlords are a key focus of the government strategy to reduce household emissions by thirty per cent before 2020. It is reported that ministers are keen to encourage home improvements in the mass population by ensuring changes are overt and seen by many. They are keen to encourage adjustments such as installing double glazed windows as well as proper roof insulation. It is claimed these adjustments will be the largest to British households since World War Two.

Another vital part of the government plan to save energy is the installation of 53 million smart meters in 30 million houses and businesses from 2014 to 2019. These smart meters observe the energy usage of a building instantly. This allows people to instantly react to the reading and decrease the output of their house by turning off the extra lights or switching off appliances.

The reduction of output also means households can save on electricity and heating bills while cutting waste. The government has estimated that smart meters will save households 7.3 billion pounds over the next two decades. The climate change secretary said the introduction of smart meters into every home was a vital step forward for the national green targets and will help the consumer get the best possible deal.

British businesses will also be able to borrow green loans from a total amount of 550 million pounds. The amount will be provided by a three-year deal by Siemens and The Carbon Trust, allowing a business to borrow money to install efficient lighting and biomass heating.




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