More than 70 Scottish social housing leaders gathered recently at the CMS Innovation Hub to debate how the latest building technology can be deployed to meet government targets to cut fuel poverty.
Organised by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), the seminar was chaired by one of Scotland’s leading authorities on fuel poverty, Norman Kerr, chair of Energy Action Scotland, and included a keynote speech by the Scottish government minister for Housing and Welfare, Margaret Burgess, MSP (pictured).
According to the CIH, despite significant investment in improvements to social housing and a commitment from the Scottish government to eradicate fuel poverty as far as practicably possible by 2016, 39% of households in Scotland are still living in fuel poverty. With the introduction of new Energy Efficiency Standards for Social Housing (EESSH) and a consultation on the introduction of the new Regulation for Energy Efficiency in Private Sector housing (REEPS), the CIH was keen to explore with its members what the new regulations mean for landlords and their tenants and what practical steps can be taken to alleviate fuel poverty.
The Innovation Hub, a facility created in 2014 by door, window and external wall insulation (EWI) manufacturer and installer CMS, provided the ideal location for this seminar given its ethos to advance the debate on improving the quality of housing and buildings, not only in Scotland but right across the UK. In addition to providing conference and seminar facilities for up to 100 people, the Innovation Hub features permanent exhibition displays from CMS and building product manufacturers Sheerframe, Glassolutions Saint-Gobain, Yale, Rockwool and Metal Technology.
Andy Kerr, MD of CMS said: “We are delighted that the CIH chose our Innovation Hub to hold this important event. Fuel poverty is such a significant issue and it is extremely encouraging to see housing’s thought-leaders and the government keeping up the momentum for action. We will be playing our part by organising a follow-up technical seminar in September, which is open to everyone, designed to offer expert guidance on which products to specify.
“We have always advocated that improving the thermal insulation of the building fabric represents the most effective long term solution, enabling tenants to use their heating less and preventing energy wastage. Through our door and window design, manufacturing and installation services, now supplemented by EWI installation, we have already delivered external envelope upgrade projects for councils and housing associations throughout the UK and the benefits speak for themselves.”
Find out more about CMS at www.cmswindows.com
