Double Glazing and the Green Agenda
Building A Greener Britain – Transforming Britain’s Housing Stock is the title of a paper prepared by the Federation of Master Builders. It was published in July by Environmental Change Institute at Oxford University.
Perhaps it should come as no surprise that the report labels UK housing among the worst in Europe when it comes to energy efficiency. Compared to other countries, we do seem to be a bit lacklustre when it comes to ‘green’ issues. However, the report suggests a tactic which is sure to get us going pale green, if not emerald green. It calls for a cut in VAT on housing refurbishment from 17.5 per cent to five per cent, council tax rebates to promote energy efficiency, and a review of energy performance certificates to improve accuracy and reliability. Anything that saves money in this, frankly, dreadful financial climate has got to be good.
It is becoming more and more apparent that, in the not too distant future, the value of your property will become evermore dependent on how ‘green’ or energy saving it is. In fact, as the much talked about Home Improvement Packs (HIPs) already contain Energy Performance Certificates, the energy performance of your home already contributes to its marketability.
On one carbon calculator site on the web, installing effective double glazing comes very high in the steps you can take to improve the energy efficiency of your home (and, therefore, its marketability). The only actions that come higher than double glazing involve turning down your central heating thermostat.
So, whether or not you are a committed green campaigner just by ensuring that your doors and windows keep in the warm and keep out the cold, you will be contributing to the green agenda.
Tags: double glazing, energy saving, government agenda, green issues, Home Improvements