Each Home Counts – Bonfield Report

Background

In December 2016 Dr Peter Bonfield of BRE published his independent review for the Secretaries of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), now part of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), and the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). It had been jointly commissioned by them to consider ‘Consumer Advice, Protection, Standards and Enforcement’ for UK home energy efficiency and renewable energy measures.

The Review covers:

Consumer advice and protection
•What supports consumers’ decisions ahead of the installation, and what assistance is available when things go wrong?
Standards framework
•What ensures that the right products are fitted to the right properties in the right way during the installation?
Monitoring and enforcement
•What ensures that poor quality work is dealt with effectively, and do arrangements for audit, compliance-checking and sanctions provide sufficient assurance of this?
This Report sets out the results of the Review and proposals for development of a clear
action plan for industry to lead on and deliver over the coming years

The Review covers:

Consumer advice and protection
•What supports consumers’ decisions ahead of the installation, and what assistance is available when things go wrong?
Standards framework
•What ensures that the right products are fitted to the right properties in the right way during the installation?
Monitoring and enforcement
•What ensures that poor quality work is dealt with effectively, and do arrangements for audit, compliance-checking and sanctions provide sufficient assurance of this?
This Report sets out the results of the Review and proposals for development of a clear
action plan for industry to lead on and deliver over the coming years

Consumer Protection

The Review recommends that, in the future, conventional measures, such as insulation, always deliver the quality levels and outcomes that consumers expect, underpinned by the protection, service and advice so critical for householders. It also seeks to ensure that new opportunities offered through the roll-out of smart meters and other energy efficiency and renewable energy measures fulfil their potential in a way that informs and protects householders.

New Quality Mark To address these challenges it proposes a new 

‘Quality Mark’ for all energy efficiency and renewable energy measures, and for all companies operating in this sector. Those who wish to use the quality mark will need to adhere to three key elements which, together with the quality mark, make up the new framework (the Framework): This will embrace:-

•A Consumer Charter which ensures that all consumers receive excellent levels of customer service, a clear redress process and guarantee protection
•A Code of Conduct which sets out how companies behave, operate and report, the requirements of which must be met or exceeded for the company to operate; and
•Codes of Practice which are relevant to the installation of each measure under consideration so that the risk of poor quality installation is minimised

New Quality Mark To address these challenges it proposes a new 

‘Quality Mark’ for all energy efficiency and renewable energy measures, and for all companies operating in this sector. Those who wish to use the quality mark will need to adhere to three key elements which, together with the quality mark, make up the new framework (the Framework): This will embrace:-

•A Consumer Charter which ensures that all consumers receive excellent levels of customer service, a clear redress process and guarantee protection
•A Code of Conduct which sets out how companies behave, operate and report, the requirements of which must be met or exceeded for the company to operate; and
•Codes of Practice which are relevant to the installation of each measure under consideration so that the risk of poor quality installation is minimised

The New Framework May Increase Demand

Consumer Protection and Demand for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Measures are to be protected. The new Framework covering consumer protection has the potential to increase consumer demand for energy efficiency and renewable energy measures by building trust and confidence in the sector. Equally, the Framework, covering sales, performance of measures and insurance guarantees, has the potential to increase investment and lending to consumers as confidence in the quality of installations grows and risks to financiers are reduced. Borrowing costs for consumers may also be reduced as risks are better understood and mitigated within the sector

The Framework will enable:

•Access to consumer finance over longer terms which will allow more attractive finance packages;
•Access to insurance and guarantees which provide robust protection to the consumer in the rare event that things go wrong with the measures installed;
•The ability to aid Small and Medium-sized Enterprises’ (SME) tradespeople to offer finance to the consumers who approach them for help; and
•The ability to protect against lending risks thereby enabling financiers to explore fully how they can lend to a wider proportion of the UK population than current models allow.

Counting the Cost – Be Prepared

“Each Home Counts” signals a further set of ‘rules’ that architectural designers, engineers, manufacturers and installers, as well as agents, surveyors, inspectors, et al will be asked to follow before very long. The process is already underway, and though it may perhaps have greater initial impact on retrofit situations, its force can be expected to be felt in new as well as extension and repair work before long. Architects and Builders will do well to read the report and consider how they can best equip themselves to satisfy upcoming requirements.

Get it Right – Build Off-Site

Factory produced components are generally more accurate and better made than things cut and made while subject to the elements. As seen in previous Weekly Insights, given the right conditions, training and incentives, factory workers can be happier and more contented, resulting in them taking greater pride in their work and driving levels of consumer satisfaction higher. Indeed, building ‘Off-Site’ has multiple benefits. Greater accuracy, less waste, real ‘Pride in the Job’, on-time deliveries, and easier, faster on-site assemblies. Establishing wider collaboration with other construction professionals means that Design & Build is safer, easier, and more sustainable.

Early Engagement

This is an often misunderstood, but important factor. The earlier we can become engaged with a project, the better the result. From early design, through technical development of the structure and manufacturing to transport and erection, our timber based pre-fabrications minimise the need for special equipment and make delivering the affordable high quality buildings that architects and their clients want – especially on difficult to access sites. 

Call us to arrange a visit to our factory and discuss your ideas and needs with our in-house team of professionals for your next project. You’ll be glad you did!