Efficiency upgrades generate opportunity

With little more than a year to go before strict new laws governing the energy efficiency of rental properties come into force, Emplas is highlighting new opportunities for installers.

Under the legislation, any residential property rented after April 1 next year will need to achieve a minimum ‘E’ Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating.

It means that residential landlords have between now and this time next year to bring the thermal efficiency of their properties up to scratch or be banned from agreeing new rentals.

Hefty fines for agreeing new rental agreements on properties, which fall short of the minimum standard after the law comes into force, are also in place.  

John Leary, sales and marketing director at Emplas said: “Much of our housing stock was built in the pre-war period and is notoriously ‘leaky’. What’s equally significant is that around 75% of the residential properties that will be occupied in 2050, already exist.

“This makes improving the energy efficiency of our existing housing stock key. With rental properties among some of the least energy efficient, the new legislation on their energy efficiency is no less important.

“That’s why the government is taking it so seriously and why approaching local landlords and landlord associations, represents such a significant opportunity for installers.”

As an added incentive to landlords to improve the thermal performance of their properties, the same regulations will come into force on those tenancies agreed before April 1 2018 by the April 1 2020.

Anyone who breeches the regulation will face a civil penalty of up to £4,000.

Emplas fabricates windows using Optima, launched by Profile 22 last year, which features a six chamber outer-frame and five chamber sash. This means that the 70mm system achieves U-values as low as 0.9W/m2K and an A++ WER.