Edgetech has shelved its plan to bring back the Triple Glazing Question conference in response to the government’s new Future Homes proposals which make barely a passing reference to glazing in the entire consultation paper.
Instead, the document focuses on decarbonising rather than energy saving, says Edgetech MD Chris Alderson, who says they are postponing the event in the hope that the plan’s creators might revisit the issue.
“Like many in the sector, we expected it to recommend high-performance triple glazing to help drastically improve thermal efficiency,” he said, “In fact, in the government’s 36,000-word consultation document, released on December 13th, glazing is mentioned a grand total of three times.
The proposals make no change to required U-Values or minimum fabric standards. Instead, they focus on heat pumps, airtightness and solar panels.
“Far from representing a step-change in building performance, the suggested requirements are lower than some homes are being built to now. Rather than improving energy efficiency, and thereby reducing total energy consumption, the focus is on rapidly decarbonising the energy we use.
“At Edgetech, we feel this is a colossal missed opportunity to make Britain’s buildings better, and pave the way to a net zero future.
“Our intention had been to hold an event in March 2024 to discuss the impact of the Future Homes Standard. The day would’ve explored what part triple glazing could play in achieving Britain’s net zero objectives.
“However, in light of this announcement, which indicates glazing has no place in the government’s plans, we have decided to postpone the event.
We are sceptical whether the measures will achieve the required 75-80% reduction in emissions, and think it’s possible the subject will be revisited. If and when that happens, we will reschedule the event, and help the industry adapt to this unpredictable and rapidly changing situation.”
The company had earlier announced that it was bringing back the Triple Glazing Question conference after the first event in 2014, to be held in the coming March at Coventry’s CBS Arena https://www.the-glazine.com/?p=10707
www.edgetechig.co.uk
