Solid Wall Solutions: Focus on Quality

1. Solid Wall Solutions:Focus on Quality Solid Wall Insulation Guarantee Agency Ecobuild 2nd March 2010

2. CCP Context The Government has ambitious targets to reduce CO2 emissions to 60% of 1990 levels by 2050 The UK’s 26m homes account for ~27% of National CO2 emissions Three Quarters of homes that will be standing in 2050 have already been built so retrofit is key. Retrofitting of “simple” measures such as cavity wall insulation will be nearing completion by 2015 A third of homes have solid walls To achieve Climate Change Targets all existing Solid Wall housing will have to be insulated

3. CCP Context • At current insulation rates of 15-25k properties each year just 15% will have been treated by 2050 • Therefore to achieve the required levels solid wall solution delivery capacity will have to increase 10 fold.

4. The Challenge What needs to happen Rapidly ramp up industry capacity Increase demand and delivery rates Maintain installation quality Ensure robust carbon savings for Government and fuel savings for consumers Secure economies of scale to minimise costs Barriers Lack of drivers/policies to encourage uptake Highly fragmented industry Regulatory constraints – Building Control/Planning Lack of awareness and demand

5. Fragmentation • Complex supply chain • Current SWI focus is on new build and large scale social renovation projects • 88% of projects are multiple occupancy • 90% Local Authority or Housing Association • Expansion will mean that increasingly projects will be community based.

6. Implications • Scaling delivery and shift to Smaller Scale community based projects means: • Lack of design expertise • Loss of multi level quality checks and balances implicit in large projects • Additional Building regulation/control and planning considerations • Increasing interactions with consumers and social landlords. • Need to communicate advantages of technology to a wider range of stakeholders

7. SWIGA • The SWIGA framework will address these barriers and provide confidence that: • Training will be available • Installations will be of high quality • Carbon and Energy Savings will be achieved • Consumers will be protected through a Guarantee • What is SWIGA? • Independent non profit making organisation • Encompasses technical and delivery expertise drawn from across the insulation industry • Based on successful CIGA Cavity Wall Insulation Model

8. Overview of SWIGA Scheme • The SWIGA framework will address these barriers and provide: • Quality Assurance: • Training and Skills • Best Practice Guides • Approved Installers • Surveillance Scheme • Robust Standard Solutions • Consumer Protection • Guarantee Scheme • Codes of Practice • Arbitration Service • Promotion • Professional marketing

9. Training & Skills • Skills and training key to ensuring high quality installations as capacity increases. • Working with Sector Skills Councils • Development of NVQ Level II qualification • Incorporation of CSCS skills cards • “Best practice Guides” – to cover all areas of: • Assessment • Installation • Health & safety

10. Approved Installers • Approved installer members subject to checks covering Financial Stability and Technical Resources • Once admitted to membership Approved Installer members must • Comply with SWIGA technical guidance • Maintain appropriate resources and have procedures for Materials quality control, Pre Installation assessments, Work Planning, Installation and Quality monitoring • Provide training • Participate in the Guarantee scheme. • Operate to a professional codes of practice • Be subject to regular surveillance

11. Robust Standard Solutions • Government must have confidence that carbon and energy savings will be delivered in practice. • Innovative funding mechanisms will rely on delivery of predicted cost savings • Addressed through Robust Standard Solutions engineered to meet quality and savings criteria

12. Consumer Guarantee • Guarantee cover starts on completion of works and covers defects in materials and workmanship: • Qualifying External, Internal or Hybrid systems. • Residential Properties • Private and Social sector • All property types • 25 year term to reflect typical loan terms • £15,000 total liability • Transferable to subsequent property owners • Arbitration Service – to resolve any pre completion disputes. • Will incorporate standard format SWI “Owners Manual” and specifications for installation.

13. Promotion • Promotion and marketing of Solid Wall insulation essential to raise awareness amongst stakeholders including: • Householders • Government • Local Authorities • Energy Suppliers etc. • Liaison with Government regarding Solid Wall policy development