That’s according to the BSRIA, a specialist construction and building services organisation.

According to the group’s latest white paper – Achieving Carbon Targets – the UK Government should introduce greater regulation on building energy consumption and introduce fines for non-compliance.

The BSRIA suggests policy like feed-in tariffs and the Green Deal had diluted energy efficiency policy, and argues regulation was a better way of ensuring carbon reductions.

Upgrade incentives

BSRIA chief executive Julia Evans said: “Our industry will be aided through the establishment of clear policy, clear and uncomplicated legislation, and more regulation.”

Evans said the building and construction group supported the idea of creating a single Government department for their industries to respond to on new building regulations.

She added the Government could do more to incentivise upgrades in heating equipment to reduce emissions: “The majority of UK homes still have outdated heating control equipment. There is not only a lack of education amongst home owners; there is a lack of encouragement to upgrade their systems. A quick-win would be to incentivise residential thermostat replacement.”

Lazy landlords

The call for greater Government incentives to boost low-carbon housing was given added support by online letting agency Easyroommate.

Easyroommate CEO Karim Goudiaby said the end of the Government’s Green Deal, which offered money back for residents and landlords making energy efficiency improvements, stands to worsen the state of UK housing.

According to research from Easyroommate, 60% of landlords have no intention of investing in their properties to make them more energy efficient for their tenants. The end of the Green Deal has added to the lack of incentives for energy efficiency improvements.

Goudiaby said: “Conversations need to take place with leaders in the private rented sector and energy efficiency industry to understand where things went wrong.

“The government should then swiftly implement a new scheme which is not over regulated and incentivises landlords to invest in energy efficient property improvements offering tax benefits and low interest rates on loans taken to complete such work.”

The Government recently scrapped zero-carbon housing regulations designed improve housing energy efficiency and ended funding for the Green Deal loan scheme.

Matt Field

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