March 2008
Reduced rate on energy saving goods
The UK and France are proposing reform of the current VAT regime to permit member states to introduce a lower VAT rate on a range energy efficient goods, renewable energy, insulation and double-glazing.
Revisions to the eco-label award
The revision aims to enhance effectiveness and market impact by increasing the range of eligible product groups and the number of eco-labelled goods and services actually available to the consumer. The procedure of developing and adopting eco-label criteria will be thoroughly changed and simplified.
Economic stakeholders will be involved to a greater extent into the process, thereby increasing ownership and the self-regulatory aspects of the scheme, whereas the administrative burden put on Member States will be reduced.
Synergies with existing eco-labels at national level will be facilitated and limits will be put on the costs and fees Member States' authorities can charge the applicant. Furthermore, the criteria should be defined in such a way that they can be easily used for the purpose of green public procurement.
Research into underfloor heating market
The research for this new report found that sales revenue grew by 10% in 2007 for the companies included in the report, and despite forecasts of a slight slowdown, sales growth should remain reasonably strong in the short to medium term. In addition, the industry also experienced substantial growth in profitability during 2007, with profit levels set to rise faster than inflation in 2008, despite current predictions of a slowdown in the UK economy, and against a backdrop of rising inflation.
Further information on the report findings and a press summary of this report is available to read on the
Buildingtalk website.
New player emerges in sustainable energy market
A new company is launching next month to supply heating & plumbing products that have a sustainable energy focus. Intaeco will have a product range that will be of particular interest to the renewable energy market, and to those with an interest in sustainable building practices.
Based in Staffordshire, Intaeco has an excellent pedigree. The team behind the new venture has 20 years experience in plumbing and heating equipment manufacture and Intaeco has been created as the result of a conscious decision to help educate and change Britain's plumbing and energy practices.
Cynthia Fisher, Intaeco's Commerial Director who also looks after sister company Intatec, the anti-scald tap, shower and valve specialist said "A new element to the industry has emerged in recent years. It encompasses some new technologies such as solar power and ground source heat pumps. It seems that a whole new vocabulary has been added to the world of plumbing and heating along with a whole raft of new products needed by original equipment manufacturers, and the specifiers and installers who have to fit these technologies and make them work."
"We have seen an increased demand from customers for products that will reduce carbon footprints, enough for us to commit a significant investment to developing this brand new enterprise. Originally I believed there was a desire to be 'seen to be green', but I think that position has developed much further. People genuinely want to be green. Partly it's been driven by Government legislation and the imposition of targets, but I think the strongest influence is pure economics. In the long run, with soaring energy prices, green is going to be cheaper."
22% of the energy used in the home is used to heat hot water. Solar heat in the UK can supply a minimum of 60% of that, for free. Solar households have a much smaller carbon footprint than those using traditional energy sources.
Intaeco's MD, Stuart Gizzi who has worked with the technical team to develop the initial product offering said "We see potential problems within the industry that Intaeco's product range and information can alleviate. It is a relatively new and emerging market and the danger is that installers could unwittingly fit component parts that are designed for use in traditional heating systems, rather than the different specifications demanded by more environmentally aware systems. A good example of this is solar, where water temperatures can far exceed those generated by traditional heating methods, requiring special components with a higher temperature rating. Our objective is not just to supply, but also to inform and educate, upholding the integrity of the market, and strengthening consumer confidence."
Intaeco has already begun to work practically with installers to share knowledge. Stuart added "We listen to our trade partners and strive to develop controls and component parts that achieve efficiency, save time and show no compromise in meeting the installation specification."
