The new coalition Government is considering raising stamp duty on home-buyers if their properties are not energy efficient.
This is one of many plans from the Government to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 34 percent of their 1990 levels within the next 10 years.
The latest stamp duty idea could see home-buyers pay £1000’s in additional finance if their home is deemed to be energy inefficient, has badly insulated windows, poor loft installation and inefficient boilers.
The policy change would be introduced within the Governments Green Deal - a vastly funded scheme of £90 billion with the aim to cut fuel bills of homes within approximately 14 million homes.
The Green Deal will offer various benefits to the householder. This includes a free green upgrade or improvement by energy companies, local councils or DIY chains from 2012. The investment towards the home improvements will be claimed back from the savings made on energy consumption.
This proposal came to light last month from the Green Investment Bank Commission – this was originally setup by labour last year.
Report author Bob Wigely, chairman of the Yell Group quoted “Ultimately either implementing penalty rates of stamp duty for a house purchased where the buyer does not implement available energy efficiency measures or setting minimum standards on properties, will be required.”
Chris Huhme, UK Energy Secretary spoke about government plans for the Green Deal at the Economist UK Energy Summit on the 24th June:
“Alongside investment in new energy infrastructure, we need to reduce overall energy demand. So let me now turn to the Green Deal – our way of expanding the energy mix to a fourth resource.
Energy saving is the cheapest way of closing the gap between demand and supply, yet it is the Cinderella of the energy ball. On the near horizon, energy saving will mean smart meters and smart grids that can give consumers control over their appliances – for example ensuring that fridges power down during temporary price surges.
This will take time to develop. But there is also much we can do now. To date we have heard too much talk and too little action.
Britain has on average some of the oldest housing stock in Europe, much of it built in the era of cheap coal – but that’s no excuse. Why have we kept building inefficient homes? We have been locking in waste, which is why my colleague Grant Shapps, the Housing Minister, is moving quickly to toughen building standards.
Most of the homes we will use in 2050 have of course already been built. That is why we have big plans for the Green Deal. It will be my department’s flagship bill for this first session. Its aim is a radical overhaul of our existing homes to save energy, carbon and costs.
At the moment, we may as well be burning £50 notes outside our front doors. We use more energy per home than does Sweden. And this waste cannot be ignored, because households account for a quarter of all carbon emissions.
This is another area which can help drive economic recovery. The market is big. There are currently up to 14 million homes in the UK which could benefit from insulation under the Green Deal. We are working on the package for each home, which could unlock tens of billions of spending in the coming years.”
Since Anglian launched Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic earlier this week we’ve seen and reported yesterday an unprecedented level of interest from homeowners who are keen to invest in improving their homes with the very latest in energy saving, revenue generating and environment considerate technology.
Anglian Home Improvements, formerly known as Anglian Windows. Raising the standard in Solar Energy Solutions.
The new energy efficient products seem to have really captured the imagination and got people thinking seriously about helping the environment by investing in Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic technology.
These new green home improvements not only reduce a households impact on the environment but can also generate revenue.
For more information on how you can improve your home with Solar please click here.
Anglian Home Improvements, formerly known as Anglian Windows. Raising the standard in solar energy.
Anglian Building Products, the business-to-business division of Anglian Windows Limited, have been appointed by LHC to their PVC-U Windows and Doors U8 Framework Arrangement for the next four years.
LHC is a not-for-profit, local government organisation, which has over 40 years experience of providing procurement solutions for all public sector buildings. LHC’s new U8 Framework Arrangement has been set up to service public sector contracts throughout mainland UK and is divided into five geographical lots. Anglian Building Products have been appointed to the U8 Framework Arrangement for all five geographical lots.
Anglian Building Products underwent a rigorous selection process including pre-qualification, a thorough assessment of technical and service capability and financial competiveness.
The LHC Account Management team recently visited Anglian Building Products’ manufacturing operation in Norwich to witness their capabilities first hand. Neil Barker Head of Business Development at LHC commented: “Our team was very impressed with the Anglian operation. We are looking forward to working with the company and are confident that our public sector customers will be pleased with the quality of products offered and the level of service available from Anglian through our new framework.”
The PVC-U Windows and Doors collaborative procurement U8 Framework is suitable for all types of public sector buildings across the UK from low to high rise.
For further information contact:
Stewart Damonsing, Marketing Manager, Anglian Building Products
Anglian Building Products is the business to business division of Anglian Windows Ltd and has established itself as one of the most respected providers of insulation solutions. Working both direct and in partnership with main contractors, Anglian operates in a diverse range of market sectors including the MOD, UK social housing and education partners.
Today we have a very special guest post from Ian Ridley. Anglian were delighted to be given the opportunity earlier this year to sponsor Ian and support the Intensive Care Society in a fundraising activity. The aim was to conquer the dizzy heights of Everest which is a challenge of monumental proportions.
Ian has written us a fantastic blog taking you on a journey through the highs and low, challenges and successes Ian and his team confronted during their epic Everest adventure;
“Why climb Everest? Numerous people have asked me that I don’t have a definitive answer. I suppose it is the challenge. Having climbed extensively in the Alps, I wanted to push myself further. The highest I had been previously was in October of last year when I climbed Ama Dablam (6686m), which is also in the Himalayas, and approximately 20 miles south of Everest.
I decided I would raise some money for the Intensive Care Society which aims to advance and promote the care of critically ill patients. In simple terms, these are the doctors who care for patients on life support. Vital work if heaven forbid you or a relative should require their help. Anglian Windows kindly supported my efforts with an extremely generous donation of £2500
The new Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has set out plans to invest heavily to develop Australia’s solar and renewable energy sector.
On Sunday, the Australian PM spoke about a change in policies which now heavily feature investment in renewable, green energy such as solar thermal or photovoltaic technologies.
Julia Gillard said:
“Moving forward means making record investments in solar power and other renewable energies to help us combat climate change and protect our Quality of life”.
The Australian PM has around $652m renewable energy fund following the budget announcement earlier this year in May.
Tony Abbott, opposition leader will challenge the Prime Ministers renewable energy plans in the National Election on 21st August.
“Instead of moving forward to tackle climate change , Mr Abbott is in climate change denial,” Gillard said and in response Mr Abbott argues “You don’t help the environment by damaging the economy”.
The new UK Coalition Government recently visited the Department of Energy and Climate Change where Prime Minister David Cameron announced a 10% carbon cut in central Government.
The consultation on Microgeneration Strategy will look at how to improve technologies and how to develop skills in this emerging sector to meet demand.
To date, around 100,000 businesses, organisations and homes have installed microgreneration technologies, such as solar panels or small wind turbines, and it is estimated small-scale renewable installations could meet two per cent of the UK’s electricity demand by 2020.
The Government says it wants to see what more it can do to help develop the industry, create more job opportunities, as well as get advice to businesses and householders and make sure customers can trust the green technology they buy.
In April, the feed-in tariff scheme was launched to encourage additional low carbon electricity generation by organisations, businesses, communities and individuals that are not traditionally engaged in the electricity market. Meanwhile, the Coalition Government has said that it will make public its strategy on a Renewable Heat Incentive, that was set to launch in April 2011, “as soon as possible”.
Launching this weeks consultation, Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said: “I want to work with industry to overcome the challenges it is facing. Together we will create a marketplace for jobs and prosperity alongside products and advice which people trust.”
Microgeneration technologies
DECC said the focus of the Microgeneration Strategy will be electricity generation technologies less than 50 kilowatt (kW) in size, and heat generating technologies less than 300 kW in size. As well as more established technologies such as air, ground and water source heat pumps, solar photovoltaics and solar thermal, the consultation will also look at fuel cells and passive flue gas recovery devices.
Today’s announcement follows the Government’s decision to overturn a ban on councils selling green electricity into the national grid, unveiled last week.
The Government will publish the final Microgeneration Strategy in early 2011. Those wishing to contribute to the consultation should email microgenconsult@decc.gsi.gov.uk.
The Cancer Brown Dog charity was formed in 2000 by former cancer patients Mark Storer with Peter Little and Anil Patel.
The aim of the charity is to raise much needed funds for men, women and children that suffer from Cancer. Every penny raised goes towards helping someone less fortunate.
Anglian recently sponsored Natalie May who was one of 62 people that came together to raise money for the charity by completing an incredible walk which covered 8 peaks within the Peak District and finishing at Scafell Pike peak. That’s 24 miles in 14 hours which is a phenomenal challenge.
Natalie speaking after the walk had this to say:
“Everything went really well thank you. We started off at 4am and despite the training that I had undertaken, nothing could have prepaired me for the challenge that lay ahead. We achieved our goal of climbing 8 mountains in 14 hours, the last mountain being Scafell Pike – the highest peak in England!! It was an amazing day and I am very proud to have been a part of a team of volunteers who between us raised just over £69,000.00 for the Brown Dog Charity raising money for people with Cancer, a cause very close to my heart, thankyou Anglian Home Improvements for sponsoring me along with many members of Anglian staff.”
Natalie May
For more information on The Cancer Brown Dog charity (charity number 1111550) please click here.
Anglian Home Improvements, formerly known as Anglian Windows. Supporting local communities and charities since 1966.
Anglian Home Improvements are constantly developing and improving the efficiency of their products. This ranges from replacing your windows with newer, more efficient double glazing to installing Solar Thermal or Photovoltaic technologies which Anglian will launch next week.
Other industries have also heavily invested in green technologies. Examples include the latest introduction of LED TV’s, the motor industry manufacturing hybrid cars on mass like the Toyota Prius. Recently we reported on the plans of the new Coalition Government on environmental investment and policies from June’s budget.
Seen in this video is new Prime Minister David Cameron reinitiated his attentions towards the environment in May 2010, by accompanying Chris Hulne, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, to the Department of Energy and Climate Change;
Anglian Home Improvements, formerly known as Anglian Windows. Raising the standard in energy efficient home improvements since 1966.
This is a quick guide to how Anglian’s Photovoltaic technology works within the home. Anglian’s photovoltaic system features highly efficient, reliable solar panels which will increase the energy options and efficiency of the home.
Houses without a photovoltaic system will continue to be solely reliant on the National Grid therefore be directly effected by the continuing rising fuel prices and current economic climate, not helped by British Petroleum’s well publicised continuing problems.
By installing an Anglian solar electricity system you will be, over time, the beneficiary of the following:
« Helping set a standard, legacy of environmental living for future generations
« Reducing your carbon emissions and impact on the environment
« Opportunity to generate income through the Feed In Tariff (FIT)
Below is a Schematic illustrating how Photovoltaic technology works;
The panels attached to your roof will contain photovoltaic cells. These cells are made from two layers of silicon manufactured from pure sand. When sunlight shines on the cells they create electric currents, which are harnessed as DC power and converted by an inverter to AC power; ready to be used in your home via your fuse box.
Did you know that a solar electricity system 380km by 380km could provide all of the world’s electricity needs?
You probably won’t want to go this far, but! With solar panels on your home, you could be harnessing the sun’s energy for free; powering your home hence saving you money.
Keep an eye on the blog for more solar related posts, next up: Solar Thermal – heating your hot water from the sun’s rays. We will also be launching a solar website soon with bundles of information for you to get your teeth into; so watch this space!
Anglian Home Improvements, formerly known as Anglian Windows. Making Britain’s homes more efficient since 1966.
The previous post detailed what the new Coalition Government was planning in respect to its investment, developments and policies on energy saving and the environment during their governing term.
This post however looks at the environment not from a national perspective but from a consumer level and how investing in energy saving improvements like Photovoltaic technology not only has environmental benefits but also financial rewards.
The Department of Energy and Climate Change produced a video of Jim Dignan, homeowner in Sheffield who has already invested in Photovoltaic panels and gives us a detailed account of his experiences so far;
Anglian recently announced that we will be launching our very own Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic products. Please keep an eye out on the blog for more details on this exciting new development.
Anglian Home Improvements, formerly known as Anglian Windows. Helping improve the energy efficiency of Britain’s homes since 1966.
