Edgetech has postponed its Triple Glazing Question event, designed to discuss Net Zero plans and the Future Homes Standard, which was due to take place in March 2024.
Chris Alderson, Edgetech’s managing director, announced the postponement this week, in light of government proposals in the Future Homes Standard, “which indicates glazing has no place in the government’s plans”.
He explained: “With the Future Homes Standard, the glazing industry has yet again been overlooked. Like many in the sector, we expected it to recommend high-performance triple glazing to help drastically improve thermal efficiency.
“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. Who knows how long that will take – and the country will surely be left struggling with supply challenges for heat pumps and solar panels.”
Edgetech described the proposals, now under consultation, as a “colossal missed opportunity” to make Britain’s buildings better.
Chris added: “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.”
