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So the forum goes quiet regarding the ongoing implosion of IDEA. The CEO has stayed put, the mass exodus of the Steering Group leaves them in massive trouble. It looks like it has become what it has looked like for some time- thats a commercial company with a single decision maker- hardly what is required for Institute status, but thats something for Companies House to look at closely no doubt!

Well I've been out and about for a few days, one or two troublesome EPCs to deal with, although in truth I should say troublesome DEAs actually, but thats nothing new- many people are still on the first rung of the learning ladder and Wow! - does it show sometimes!

More direct marketing going on right now but its a tricky one to call, marketing budgets are easy to spend, but less certain how to maximise the impact and of course, the rate of return! The old favourites work well, so we will keep plugging away. Fee pressure remains, but with the lack of volumes in the housing market, finding a DEA/HI to carry out the work is like shelling peas now that NRG Experts inches towards 2000 qualified DEA/HIs on the books to work with.

The commercial register is also building some momentum and a great deal of work is going in on this right now- fortunately the calibre of the energy surveyors appears to be strong, vital in what is more likely to be a litigious sector.

The number of people who have completed the survey is astonishing:
Total Started Survey: 514
Total Completed Survey: 443 (86.2%)

and shortly I will start the process of analysing the results to see what trends appear. Almost makes sense to make it an annual survey, but lets see what other surveys make sense in this fledgling industry first before committing to anything to ridiculous. Frankly, who knows who will still be around in another 12 months!

Pro-EPC article in the Telegraph. Moving House? Think 'energy saving'

In a good article Andrew Warren, Director, Association for the Conservation of Energy makes some valuable points that having the EPC at the point of purchase is excellent sense since 'movers are often improvers' (I can imagine B&Q and Homebase panicking a bit this year then as sales volumes look to set a record low). I declare an interest in all this! I was sat in a meeting with EEPH and CLG earlier this month when this was discussed at considerable length. Andrew also makes the point that

The problem has been that the Energy Performance Certificate is hidden away within the much-derided Home Information Pack (HIP).

and indeed he has a strong case. EPC graphs my be tucked away on estate agents details, typically in a non-prominent back-page slot, but the window displays rarely shows the EPC graphs, which of course is a complete nonsense if you consider the rows of white-goods inside various retailers all with huge stickers showing off the energy efficiency ratings.

And finally... how about some free insulation- would it change the way you vote?

The Green Party in Croydon are touting for votes at the moment and one of their commitments is free insulation to anyone who needs it! Sounds like a straightforward vote-winning policy to me! The Green Party statement included:

Croydon households have the worst ratings for energy efficiency in London (1). Now that we are required to provide Home Information Packs when putting our houses on the market Croydon homeowners could lose out when selling their house.

which I have to say is a spot of genius since we certainly live in a nation of 'houseproud' folks, always discussing houseprices at dinner-parties and family gatherings instead of getting on with our lives!

Labels: Andrew Warren pro-EPC completed the survey Association for the Conservation of Energy free insulation