New
polling shows the scale of the challenge faced by the homebuilding sector
as it holds a summit to plot a route map to net zero carbon housing and other
environmental objectives.
The summit, with
delegates including Government officials, house builders, energy suppliers,
material and appliance manufacturers and environmental groups will discuss the
scale of the challenge and start to plot a road map for delivery.
The survey results,
based on polling by Public First, show that 20% of people put environmental
concerns in their top three biggest issues facing the country (higher than
terrorism, access to quality education, taxation or public transport). However,
over half (54%) of the people polled were not aware of the energy efficiency
rating of their current home when they moved in demonstrating the need for
further consumer education.
Consumers put saving
money over environmental concerns when assessing why they went for an
environmentally friendly home; with the most popular adaptations being triple
glazing and water saving devices. However, 20% of people said they had not
lived in a home with any environmental adaptations and only 8% said they had
lived in a home, or knew someone who had lived in a home, with a heat pump. 80%
of people polled are living in a home with a gas boiler, underlining the scale
of the task posed by the requirement to heat new homes without gas boilers from
2025. Whilst the industry faces a whole host of challenges to meet the
Government’s commitment to net zero, taking consumers – future home buyers - on
the journey will be absolutely key.
The research also
found almost a third of people (29%) think mortgage providers should factor in
energy bills when assessing a mortgage application – more than those thinking
the number of children should be considered.
More generally,
whilst over two thirds of people are positive about the Government’s net zero
emissions target for the country, only 12% think they should focus on cutting
emissions form homes, compared to 42% for factories, 23% public transport and
25% on cars.
Consumer engagement
is just one of the issues being considered in London by a broad range of
stakeholders looking at how the sector could deliver the Government’s
challenging net zero emissions target from 2050 as well as other environmental
objectives. Whilst the industry has made significant progress over recent
years, the milestones for delivery are looming large including:
- 2020 changes to Part L of the
Building Regulations, (the current options include a 31% reduction in
emissions from new homes)
- 2025 introduction of Future
Homes Standard (including the effective ‘ban’ on gas boilers in new homes)
- 2050 target for net zero
emissions from homes.
As well as
implementing a step change in how new homes and hot water are heated, delegates
will also consider the vast range of other challenges that come under the
environmental banner, including:
- Delivering further thermal
efficiency improvements to new houses
- Providing a robust
electricity network that can cope with increased demand from heating
systems, plus other new sources such as car charging points
- Developing a range of new
environmentally friendly technologies, supply chains and the skills to
manufacture, install and maintain them whilst keeping a mindful eye on the
end user and the need to provide customers with usable and practical
solutions.
- Creating developments that
deliver increased biodiversity once complete
Stewart Baseley,
executive chairman of the Home Builders Federation said: “The scale and scope
of the environmental challenge we face is daunting, but it is one we are
committed to tackling. Today was the start of a long journey that only
underlined the broad range of stakeholders and issues involved. We have all
committed to work together to develop a route map for how we deliver net zero
homes and the range of other linked requirements.
“Consumers will be
key. Ultimately builders need to sell their wares and we need to ensure the
homes and technologies are acceptable and deliver for the homeowner and the
environment.”
The polling also
showed that:
- 37% of people said they would
be willing to pay more for a ‘zero carbon’ new home; versus 36% who
wouldn’t.
- Of those who say they would
consider energy efficiency when moving home, 56% said it would be more for
low ongoing bills compared to 39% who want to help the environment.
- Interestingly, when asked
which outgoings should be considered by a lender when assessing a
homebuyer’s mortgage application, almost 30% listed energy bills. Only
current debts (51%) and council tax (34%) were higher. HBF is currently
talking to lenders about a ‘green mortgage’.
- Of those polled 67% think new
builds are more energy efficient.
When those who were
considering buying a new build were asked what factors might influence their
views on deciding between two different home builders, ‘the respective
companies’ environmental credentials was the third most popular answer only
behind ‘reputation for quality work’ and ‘how attractive their home are’.
