The Glass & Glazing Federation (GGF) has petitioned the government to introduce a scrappage scheme, whereby householders are encouraged to scrap their old poorly insulated windows in return for a £1,000 grant towards the installation of new, professionally installed, energy efficient ones. The petition has been set up through the ePetition Scheme on the Official website of the Prime Minister’s Office at www.number10.gov.uk and is available at: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/windowscrappage/

The benefits of this scheme for window manufacturers, suppliers and installers would be increased sales and a reversal in the downward trend in the number of installed windows and doors. Consumers would save £1,000 and enjoy a facelift to their homes, along with lower fuel bills and more energy efficient homes. And the government would benefit from reduced emissions from the existing housing stock, helping it to meet the necessary greenhouse gas emissions targets. The government would also reclaim some of the grant money in VAT.

“Energy Efficient Windows (EEWs) have a huge role to play in improving the thermal performance of the existing housing stock,” Nigel Rees, Chief Executive of the GGF, explained. “EEWs can reduce emissions by 10% from dwellings nationally and reduce national domestic energy expenditure by 10%.

“The glass and window industry represents over 100,000 employees. Currently direct sell windows and doors fell by 12% in 2008 and a further 14% in 2009. The forecast is for a further 10% drop in 2010. In 2008 FENSA registered 880,831 installations made up of 3,292,437 windows and 761,054 doors. The GGF strongly believes that the proposals to incentivise the professional installation of new energy efficient windows are the only logical way forward.”

Five hundred signatures are needed to take the petition to the next stage. Given the size of the industry, and the popularity of WERs, the GGF expects the petition to receive many more signatures than that.

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The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF)
The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) is the primary trade association for companies that make, supply or fit flat glass and related products representing more than 60% of the industry’s turnover. As such the GGF is the recognised leading authority for employers and companies within the flat glass, glazing, window, home improvement, plastics and window film industries. This includes double glazing, Energy Efficient Windows, replacement windows, doors, conservatories, applied film, hardware, safety glazing, sealants, fire resistant glass, emergency glazing, decorative glass, secondary glazing, solar control and plastics.

The GGF provides information for homeowners, professional specifiers and anyone seeking professional and unbiased information on any aspect of glass and glazing in the UK. GGF members supply replacement windows, doors, conservatories and Energy Efficient Windows in all framing materials including Aluminium, PVC-U, Steel and Timber.

The GGF is a great promoter of energy efficient glazing and the GGF’ss Carbon Calculator enables homeowners and others to see how much money and carbon can be saved by installing new Energy Efficient Windows.

Architects and Specifiers are well supported with a range of literature and professional advisors to assist with all aspects of specification and related issues. GGF Members sign up to the Federation’s Code of Good Practice and are vetted before being accepted. A free conciliation service is provided for mediation between customers and supplying member companies when required.

For further information go to: www.ggf.org.uk