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Building Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
News Release from: National Energy Services | Subject: Europe's New Energy Efficiency Legislation
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 23 January 2004
Europe's New Energy Efficiency
Legislation
UK Housing Industry warned: don't be complacent about Europe's new Energy Efficiency Legislation.
House builders, surveyors, estate agents, local authorities, housing associations and homeowners will all be affected by stringent new legislation from Europe to improve the energy efficiency of our housing stock - and we need to start preparing NOW That is the urgent message that will come from the NHER National Conference in London on 4-5 February 2004
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 25 Sep 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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"From this year, we are going to witness a sea change in attitudes towards energy efficiency," says Terry Wyatt, president of the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers and one of the keynote speakers at next month's conference.
"The EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive means that people will have to change their behaviour - in the same way the nation was forced to stop drink driving and start wearing seat belts when the law changed.
But few people are prepared, or they seem to believe that this law won't actually happen, so I think there could be a shock in store for many." The directive means that in just two years' time all homes being built, sold or rented out will need a valid energy performance certificate.
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Plan to roll out HIPs delayed
National Energy Services said they were very disappointed that the 'well established plan to roll out HIPs and EPCs from 1 June has been delayed'.
In the UK, this could mean the provision of 2 million energy ratings a year, a ten-fold increase on current numbers.
Under the terms of the current Housing Bill, consumers in England and Wales will be given an Energy Report on every property they are interested in buying as part of the proposed Home Information Packs.
The EU Directive will also apply in Scotland, where separate plans for dealing with the requirement are being devised.
Austin Baggett, head of the NHER Scheme, says: "This year's NHER conference has the most substantial and critical agenda of any energy efficiency industry event of recent years.
The convergence of so many big changes starting this year will transform the UK housing market and the working lives of many people involved in the housing industry." The NHER conference is being held at the Royal College of Physicians in London on 4-5 February.
In addition to Terry Wyatt, other keynote speakers include: - Andrew Hannan from the ODPM, who will talk about how the Energy Report in Home Information Packs will transform the public's understanding of energy efficiency; - Paul King, director of WWF's One Million Sustainable Homes campaign, who will talk about whether the Government can deliver on its commitment to the construction of sustainable homes; - David Strong, managing director of the BRE's Energy Division and chair of the EU Directive Implementation Advisory Group, who will talk about how the EU directive will be implemented in the UK; - Martin O'Neill, MP for Ochil and chair of the Trade and Industry Select Committee, who will describe similarly ambitious plans for Scotland; - Paul Everall, head of Building Regulations at the ODPM and Dave Baker, director of technical services at the House Builders' Federation, who will debate the changes to Building Regulations and other ways that house builders will be constructing highly energy efficient homes in the future.
Further information on the NHER Conference, including a full programme and booking forms, can be downloaded from the NHER website.
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