Colin Timmins of BEAMA Underfloor said: “The Conservative party will be eager to make an impact across all areas, but as an industry we need to look at what we can do to ensure that energy efficiency of homes is improved during the course of this next government.
“Talk of commitment to improving energy efficiency was relatively low key in the Conservative manifesto and given the limited impact of the Green Deal, we need to ensure this doesn’t mean the Tory party is even less committed this time around.
“As an industry we need to exercise our powers of persuasion from the outset. We need to convince incoming ministers that improving heating systems is important in order to fulfil their commitment to tackling rising energy bills, fuel poverty and energy security. Taking a serious look at existing heating technologies is something they need to get to grips with if we are to deliver homes that are affordable, efficient and comfortable.
“In addition this, we need to pay attention to what the effect the almost total dominance of the Scottish National Party (SNP) will have north of the border. The SNP manifesto commits to large scale housing building in Scotland, more ambitious carbon reduction targets and a continuation of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) beyond 2015. It will be a waiting game to see whether this will influence the rest of the UK, but it should certainly mean that the industry has to look very seriously at the potential impacts of policy in Scotland.
“Greater detail on policy will be revealed now the new government is in place and the Ask for Underfloor campaign hopes that we finally get recognition that low energy homes need more than insulation; they also need well controlled, low temperate heating systems. We hope that the Conservatives will be ready to listen to the heating industry so that together we can implement policies that have a real impact.”