GGF ahead of Chloe Smith MP Westminster Hall debate
GGF
| Glass and Glazing Federation
The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) is concerned but not surprised that Ms Smiths constituents are raising concerns regarding the authenticity of Green Deal providers and has also received reports questioning the legitimacy of not just Green Deal providers, but also Green Deal Assessors and companies installing Green Deal measures.
The GGF is constantly strengthening its relationship with Trading Standards to explain how and why consumers should use a GGF company when installing energy efficient windows under Green Deal and other energy efficiency schemes and in fact will yet again be exhibiting and presenting at the TSI Conference in the summer to outline its work in this area.
Trading Standards though can only act on reports they receive from traders and the general public. They cannot change or alter the Green Deal criteria for providers, assessors and installers. It is the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) who have laid down the rules and it is perhaps time for DECC to change the format so it’s easier to police and better for consumers. For example, if DECC amended the rules to include TrustMark registered traders (which is already Government endorsed standards) then consumers can easily check who is a TrustMark registered trader.
The GGF supports Government energy efficient schemes in principle but as yet is disappointed with Green Deal and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) as both seem skewed towards one or two measures such as, cavity wall insulation and replacement boiler installation. Is this fair trading? Is this a fair scheme? Surely the best deal for homeowners would be to have a whole house approach that addresses all areas of energy efficiency. It is estimated over 20% of heat energy is lost through inefficient glazing. It is also estimated that 80% of domestic properties do not have energy efficient glazing to current modern standards. The Government should revise the energy efficiency schemes starting with greater scrutiny of the relationships between Green Deal providers, assessors and installers. The GGF is fully prepared to work with Government on providing solutions that ensure homeowners can make their properties energy efficient by installing the correct measures by qualified, skilled professionals employed by bona fide companies.
