Energy Efficiency of Existing Homes
Environmental Audit Committee
Closed
Inquiry
Homes account for just under 30% of energy use and around 20% of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. It is one of the few sectors where emissions reductions have stalled. This inquiry will look at the Government's manifesto commitments and proposed strategies on energy efficiency and ask whether they …
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20
Recommendations
19
Conclusions
1
Report
4
Oral sessions
4
Letters
4
Events
Activity timeline 14 events
13 May
2021
2021
21 Apr
2021
2021
22 Mar
2021
2021
Report published
22 Mar
2021
2021
8 Feb
2021
2021
14 Dec
2020
2020
Correspondence
2 Dec
2020
2020
Oral evidence
2 Dec
2020
2020
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
18 Nov
2020
2020
Oral evidence
18 Nov
2020
2020
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
4 Nov
2020
2020
Oral evidence
4 Nov
2020
2020
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 5, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 4 sessions
2 Dec 2020
View on parliament.uk
Panel 1
Ben Golding · Clean Power 2030
Emma Fraser · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Jon Fuller · HM Treasury
Kemi Badenoch · HM Treasury
Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
18 Nov 2020
View on parliament.uk
Panel 1; Panel 2
Brian Berry · Federation of Master Builders
George Munson · Leeds City Council and the Core Cities Energy Efficiency Group
Karen Brown · Northern Housing Consortium
Laura McGadie · Energy Saving Trust
Mark Lynn · Eden Renewable Innovations Ltd (Thermafleece)
Russell Smith · Retrofitworks
Simon Ayers · TrustMark
4 Nov 2020
View on parliament.uk
Panel 1; Panel 2
Claire Tracey · Nationwide Building Society
Dr Joanne Wade OBE · The Association for Decentralised Energy
Dr Rhian-Mari Thomas OBE · Green Finance Institute
Gavin Dick · National Residential Landlords Association
Jonathan Ducker · Kingspan
Mr Peter Smith · National Energy Action (NEA)
Robert Tiffin · Ecotiffin
15 Oct 2020
View on parliament.uk
Panel 1; Panel 2
Jan Rosenow · The Regulatory Assistance Project
Jenny Hill · Committee on Climate Change
Jenny Holland · UK Green Building Council
Katie Black · National Infrastructure Commission
Michael Lewis · E.ON UK
Pedro Guertler · E3G
Sarah Kostense-Winterton · Energy Efficiency Infrastructure Group
Simon Bittlestone · National Audit Office
Reports 1 report · click to expand
| Title | HC No. | Published | Items | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency of Existing Homes | HC 346 | 22 Mar 2021 | 39 | Responded |
Recommendations & Conclusions
39 results
1
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
The scale of the challenge to retrofit existing homes to tackle the climate crisis is...
The scale of the challenge to retrofit existing homes to tackle the climate crisis is enormous. Energy efficiency is a precursor to the transition to low carbon heat, so action must be taken in the 2020s to set homes on …
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Government Response
The Government remains committed to the aspiration set out in the Clean Growth Strategy, that as many homes as possible are improved to Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band C by …
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2
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
There is a wide variation in the costs for bringing all homes in the UK...
There is a wide variation in the costs for bringing all homes in the UK up to an EPC grade C. We have heard of costs averaging £18,000 to retrofit a property, before addition of a heat pump. Given that …
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Government Response
The Government’s estimate of between £35–£65bn is focussed solely on our aspiration for as many homes as possible to reach EPC C, where practical, affordable and cost effective. Although it …
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3
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
We recommend that the Government review the feasibility of its aspiration to achieve a minimum...
We recommend that the Government review the feasibility of its aspiration to achieve a minimum of EPC band C by 2035, given current progress on improving energy efficiency. As well as setting out how it plans to meet existing targets, …
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4
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
We recommend that BEIS review its cost projections on energy efficiency and includes the cost...
We recommend that BEIS review its cost projections on energy efficiency and includes the cost of low carbon heating. The Department should consult the building and retrofit sector to ensure that its top-down modelling reflects real-world costs. It should also …
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5
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
While the energy efficiency of two million homes has been successfully upgraded under the ECO,...
While the energy efficiency of two million homes has been successfully upgraded under the ECO, the number of measures installed has reduced significantly in recent years and the Government’s fuel poverty targets are not expected to be met. The inability …
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Government Response
The Government recognises that households on the lowest incomes are unable to fund the installation of energy efficiency measures and keep their homes warm and comfortable. ECO3 focusses support completely …
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6
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
We support the extension of ECO to 2026 and the extra funding announced in the...
We support the extension of ECO to 2026 and the extra funding announced in the Fuel Poverty Strategy. The Government must review whether ECO is still delivering Energy Efficiency of Existing Homes 57 value for money and whether the energy …
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7
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
We recommend the Government reviews the way ECO is funded, in common with the other...
We recommend the Government reviews the way ECO is funded, in common with the other policy costs that are added to consumer electricity bills rather than gas. Disproportionate use of this regressive funding mechanism is hampering the adoption of low …
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8
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
We welcome the clarification provided in the Energy White Paper that Home Upgrade Grants will...
We welcome the clarification provided in the Energy White Paper that Home Upgrade Grants will focus on the worst-quality off-gas grid homes with low income households in England. We consider that this focus is the right one. Using the indicative …
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Government Response
The Home Upgrade Grant scheme aims to upgrade the worst performing off gas grid homes (EPC D- G) that are inhabited by low-income households, providing both energy efficiency measures and …
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9
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
We recommend that Home Upgrade Grants are launched in full before the end of 2021,...
We recommend that Home Upgrade Grants are launched in full before the end of 2021, backed by the entirety of the funding pledged for the scheme, to mobilise supply chains for low carbon heating. The Government should also set out …
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10
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
We welcome the Government’s introduction of a scheme for owner occupiers to fund energy efficiency...
We welcome the Government’s introduction of a scheme for owner occupiers to fund energy efficiency improvements. Such a scheme is essential in order to achieve the ambition to reach energy efficient homes by 2030, given this is by far the …
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Government Response
8 Energy efficiency of existing homes: Government Response The Green Homes Grant voucher scheme, while recognised by many stakeholders as an important initiative, has not been delivering at the rate …
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11
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
It is commendable that the Government has been keen to avoid fraud in administration of...
It is commendable that the Government has been keen to avoid fraud in administration of the scheme by only allowing Trustmark and PAS registered companies to participate. But the anti-fraud precautions have been so complex that vouchers are simply not …
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Government Response
protection is in energy efficiency schemes. The Green Homes Grant voucher scheme was therefore designed with the highest standards of quality and consumer protection at its core. Using a quality …
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12
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
We recommend that the Green Homes Grant scheme be urgently overhauled and extended to provide...
We recommend that the Green Homes Grant scheme be urgently overhauled and extended to provide a genuine long-term stimulus to the domestic energy efficiency sector. The scheme should not be scrapped or quietly wound down. The Government must address the …
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13
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
Sustained delivery of measures to support the transition to a 68 per cent reduction in...
Sustained delivery of measures to support the transition to a 68 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030, and net zero by 2050, will require strategic planning and thorough engagement with all stakeholders. The Government’s strategic ambitions here require multi-annual …
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Government Response
In June 2019 the UK became the first major economy to legislate to end our net contribution to climate change by 2050. The government also accepted the Committee for Climate …
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14
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
We recommend that BEIS and the Treasury undertake a joint review of the preparation, launch,...
We recommend that BEIS and the Treasury undertake a joint review of the preparation, launch, funding and delivery of the Green Homes Grant programme, and that the recommendations of that review be applied to all cross-Government working on programmes to …
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15
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
We welcome the Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery scheme, and, in particular, the fact...
We welcome the Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery scheme, and, in particular, the fact that it can be used to deliver improvements across all tenures. We consider that it has real potential to help build local authority capacity and …
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Government Response
Local Authorities and Local Energy HUBs have a comprehensive understanding of their local community, and will be able to identify low-income households eligible for energy efficiency upgrades, including through consumer …
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16
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
We recommend that, following an evaluation of Phase Two, the scheme is expanded with a...
We recommend that, following an evaluation of Phase Two, the scheme is expanded with a larger budget, over a multi-year period, and a greater role for BEIS’s local energy hubs to supplement local authority capacity.
17
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
We welcome the Social Housing Decarbonisation fund and support its aims to retrofit social housing...
We welcome the Social Housing Decarbonisation fund and support its aims to retrofit social housing at scale. However, to date only a fraction of the funding has been made available for demonstrator projects that may well not deliver the efficiencies …
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Government Response
Last year’s Summer Economic Update announced the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) Demonstrator project, which was launched in 2020 and has awarded £62m of funding to social landlords across England …
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18
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
The Government should bring forward the allocation of the £3.8bn of funding pledged before the...
The Government should bring forward the allocation of the £3.8bn of funding pledged before the 2019 general election. This would deliver cost savings at scale. This funding should be frontloaded to reap the benefits of cumulative emissions savings towards net …
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19
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
The proposed extension to the Warm Home Discount provides no apparent incentive to poor or...
The proposed extension to the Warm Home Discount provides no apparent incentive to poor or vulnerable customers to invest in improving the energy efficiency of their homes. Energy efficiency is the most sustainable long-term solution to fuel poverty. The money …
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Government Response
In the Energy White Paper, Government set out its goal to ensure that energy bills are affordable and that households in fuel poverty are not left behind in the transition …
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20
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
Stop-start Government policies and intermittent funding streams have resulted in a dearth of installers of...
Stop-start Government policies and intermittent funding streams have resulted in a dearth of installers of energy efficiency measures. A lack of accredited tradespeople has hampered the initial delivery of the Green Homes Grant, and there is a significant risk that …
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Government Response
the industry and other stakeholders. Any decisions about future funding are a matter for the spending review. We agree with the Committee on the need to provide as much long-term …
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21
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
Whilst we welcome the launch of the Green Jobs Taskforce and the Green Homes Grant...
Whilst we welcome the launch of the Green Jobs Taskforce and the Green Homes Grant Skills Training Competition, the Government must create a visible, long- term market that makes energy efficiency and heat pump installation a stable and desirable profession. …
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22
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
We recommend that as part of the forthcoming Heat and Buildings strategy a national retrofit...
We recommend that as part of the forthcoming Heat and Buildings strategy a national retrofit strategy is developed with colleges and other education providers to provide the training and re-training needed to prepare our homes for a low-carbon future. The …
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23
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
We support the introduction of minimum energy performance standards across all tenures.
We support the introduction of minimum energy performance standards across all tenures. Without these minimum standards, it is unlikely the Government’s overall ambitions on retrofitting energy efficiency will be achieved.
Government Response
We welcome the Committee’s support for a minimum energy performance standards across all tenures, and believe this is a key enabler of action as set out in our earlier responses. …
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24
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
We recommend that the social rented sector should be subject to the same standards as...
We recommend that the social rented sector should be subject to the same standards as the private rented sector.
25
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
In its forthcoming Heat and Buildings Strategy, the Government, acting on the advice of the...
In its forthcoming Heat and Buildings Strategy, the Government, acting on the advice of the Climate Change Committee, should set an ambitious and realistic trajectory for owner occupiers to achieve minimum EPC C standards. The CCC recommends that by 2028 …
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26
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
Green finance options are essential to encourage owner occupiers to take action on energy efficiency.
Green finance options are essential to encourage owner occupiers to take action on energy efficiency. We welcome the ambition of some leading lenders to make green mortgages available, and the Government consultation on how mortgage lenders can help householders to …
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Government Response
We agree with the Committee that green finance will play a critical role in helping householders to improve the energy performance of their homes. We estimate that getting as many …
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27
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
Alongside an extension of the Green Homes Grant, other financial incentives, such as low interest...
Alongside an extension of the Green Homes Grant, other financial incentives, such as low interest loans, will need to be made available to owner occupiers and landlords to achieve the thorough retrofit of domestic housing stock the Government envisages. The …
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Government Response
We agree with the Committee that a range of financial products will be essential to support owner occupiers and landlords to improve the energy performance of their homes. We have …
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28
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
Despite the need to make progress in improving energy efficiency of 19 million homes to...
Despite the need to make progress in improving energy efficiency of 19 million homes to achieve net zero Britain objectives, no mention was made in the Budget statement on 3rd March by the Chancellor of energy efficiency, nor any steps …
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Government Response
It is a matter of public record that the Department has raised concerns with the scheme administrator, ICF, on performance, and has been working with them to resolve their issues. …
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29
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
We recommend that the Chancellor of the Exchequer look again at proposals to reduce to...
We recommend that the Chancellor of the Exchequer look again at proposals to reduce to five per cent the rate of VAT on the labour element of refurbishment and renovations. The Government should also bring forward proposals to reinstate the …
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30
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
We support and reiterate the Green Finance Taskforce recommendation that the Government should pilot a...
We support and reiterate the Green Finance Taskforce recommendation that the Government should pilot a stamp duty rebate for homeowners that improve the efficiency of their homes within the first year of purchase. We recommend that the Government work with …
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31
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
The Government should work with the financial services sector to devise and implement a communications...
The Government should work with the financial services sector to devise and implement a communications strategy to raise awareness about, and to encourage the uptake of, appropriate types of financing measures already on the market being offered, such as green …
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32
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
Energy Performance Certificates have a range of flaws, with their inability to reflect real-world energy...
Energy Performance Certificates have a range of flaws, with their inability to reflect real-world energy performance being the biggest challenge. Desk-based assessments with out-of-date software are doing nothing to improve the market value of decarbonised homes and do not accurately …
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Government Response
We agree with the Committee on the importance of ensuring Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) align to our policy objectives, and legally binding targets, to achieve
33
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
We recommend the EPC methodology is fundamentally overhauled to support low carbon heating measures by...
We recommend the EPC methodology is fundamentally overhauled to support low carbon heating measures by indicating, in its headline rating not only the fuel cost of heating a property but also its energy and carbon metrics. The measures in the …
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34
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
Building renovation passports have the potential to provide much more accurate data on energy usage...
Building renovation passports have the potential to provide much more accurate data on energy usage and could be used to unlock green finance. They provide homeowners with long-term renovation strategies which can minimise disruption to their properties and thereby encourage …
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Government Response
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are critical to our policy proposals and we are committed to improving them as set out in our EPC action plan. However, we are open to …
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35
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
We recommend the Government develop an approved, standardised methodology and data framework for Building Renovation...
We recommend the Government develop an approved, standardised methodology and data framework for Building Renovation Passports and supports their roll-out, with a view to the eventual replacement of Energy Performance Certificates.
36
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
We have heard of the benefits of a bespoke advice service on energy efficient retrofitting.
We have heard of the benefits of a bespoke advice service on energy efficient retrofitting. We consider that such a service will be essential in order to achieve the pace of change needed to meet the net zero target.
Government Response
and respond to national priorities. On 15 December 2020 the Cabinet Office published a Green Paper consultation on Transforming Public Procurement ahead of bringing forward primary legislation in the summer. …
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37
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
We recommend the Government’s present basic energy advice service available in England is upgraded to...
We recommend the Government’s present basic energy advice service available in England is upgraded to a specialist bespoke advice service similar to the Home Energy Scotland network. This should include measures to identify the most appropriate financing programme for each …
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38
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
Sustainable building materials are not being utilised to anywhere like their full potential in the...
Sustainable building materials are not being utilised to anywhere like their full potential in the UK. The use of natural fibre insulation could have significant benefits for the UK’s older housing stock.
Government Response
We recognise that the carbon emitted during by the construction of homes and buildings, or embodied carbon, can account for a significant proportion of the total carbon emissions over the …
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39
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Energy Efficiency …
We recommend that within its Heat and Buildings Strategy, the Government consider stipulating the use...
We recommend that within its Heat and Buildings Strategy, the Government consider stipulating the use of sustainable materials in public sector energy efficiency contracts as a first incentive to drive the UK’s domestic supply chain of these materials. (Paragraph 159) …
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Correspondence 4 letters
21 Apr 2021
Chair to Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on the future of the Green Homes Grant voucher scheme, dated 19 April 2021
Parliament page
22 Mar 2021
Memorandum to the EAC from the Exchequer Secretary regarding the Green Homes Grant, dated 12 March 2021
Parliament page
8 Feb 2021
BEIS to Chair regarding Green Homes Grant Scheme, 22 January 2021
Parliament page
14 Dec 2020
Chair to BEIS, GHG survey, 11 Dec 2020
Parliament page