Energy labels need PR boost
The Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) must spend more money on promoting the legislation supporting energy certification if the scheme is to be a success, according to leading industry figures.
Speakers and guests at a meeting organised by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), expressed alarm about over the lack of public awareness of the legislation and the need for Display Energy Certificates (DECs). There is also a lack of awareness about the requirement to have air conditioning systems over 250 kW inspected by January 2009.
Responding to a question on the uptake of Energy Assessor training, Richard Hipkiss, Carbon Energy Assessor and Sales & Marketing Director of i-Prophets Energy Services, said: ”There is a large pool of people interested in being accredited. The issue is ensuring that building owners and the public in general understand the benefits of using assessors with the appropriate expertise who can deliver practical implementable recommendations to improve their building’s rating.”
Paul Martin, Chairman of ESTA’s Metering and Monitoring Group, further underlined the positive impact that DECs could have if fully implemented and agreed that CLG needs to focus more on raising awareness of the legislation.
CIBSE Chief Executive Stephen Matthews added: “The legislation is important and we want to ensure that this is supported by a call to action that is sensible, pragmatic and deliverable.”
The event was held to mark the launch of CIBSE Certification’s DEC Assessor training courses, which start in June. A full list of training dates taking place from June in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds can be found on the CIBSE website.