The Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ new report is calling to urgently introduce legislation for a national insulation programme to cover every UK home.
In the report titled ‘Heat Energy: the Nation’s Forgotten Crisis‘ the proposed change in legislation would declare all UK building stock as ‘national infrastructure’ and provide incentives, such as a reduction in stamp duty, for homeowners to install insulation to national standards.
For those who cannot afford to pay, a national scheme to cover the cost of work would be funded by general taxation. The report also calls for installers of energy demand reduction measures to be trained to meet a mandatory competence registration, similar to the CORGI certification/Gas Safe Register for gas installers.
Dr Tim Fox, Lead Author of the report and Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said:
“The UK’s housing stock is some of the most poorly insulated in the developed world, largely because of the age of much of the countries domestic dwellings and the failure of successive Governments to take the meaningful action required on energy efficiency measures.
“Poorly insulated homes cost the NHS an estimated £1.36 billion every year, with one estimate placing 6.5 million UK homes in fuel poverty.
“In addition, the amount of money and fuel that is wasted on heating poorly insulated homes is appalling, and the UK is facing a future of depleting UK gas reserves. It is clear that it is time for urgent action to improve energy efficiency in UK homes.
