Windows Scrappage Scheme
You may have seen some TV ads about the windows scrappage scheme, so what is it all about?
The glazing industry is petitioning the government to introduce a government funded windows scrappage scheme to help reduce the UK’s carbon footprint.
Although this is not in place yet a few of the more reputable glazing manufactures have already introduced this at their own expense to get the ball rolling. Will it last in its present form? Know one really knows so to take advantage of the savings you really have to act now.
Windows scrappage schemes are varying from company to company however it would appear a common trend is to remove £100 from your price for each window and door you intend to replace up to a maximum of twenty items.
Therefore if you have 10 windows to remove you will receive £1000 off of your price before any other discounts available apply. Double door spaces such as a door and side panel would count as two doors being deducted.
Are these products being recycled? Sadly no as only a very small proportion of manufactures use virgin grade organic UPVC which is recyclable. The majority of the industry are still using cheaper UPVC stabilized with lead, tin or cadmium which make the windows non recyclable and non colour fast.
However on the plus side as of 2010 glazing manufactures have 5 years to change their manufacturing methods to switch to organic grade calcium organic UPVC. From 2015 it will be illegal to manufacture and sell UPVC in Europe which has been stabilized with environmentally unfriendly heavy metals.
The very interesting question will be if you buy a window or door today that will be illegal to manufacture and sell in 2015 will this be detrimental to your ability to sell your home after 2015? The answer is mostly likely to be not if but when this will happen.
Will poorly insulated homes also be penalised, this looks highly likely as the Energy Saving Trust is making massive moves in trying to force through legislation that could ban the selling or renting of poorly insulated homes.
The UK and Scotland government are committed to very onerous carbon footprint reduction targets and with the increased use of fossil fuel and cars on the road the obvious target is to thermally improve the housing stock and thermal quality of new build housing.
This is really a non brainer as it helps the construction industry and manufacturing industry generates jobs and revenue and increase taxes to help bolster the governments financial deficit while making major inroads to the carbon footprint reduction targets.
It will not happen before the 2010 election however given the options on the table and the staggering costs of replacing older power stations I really do not see the government having any choice but to implement a more energy efficient Britain.
You can still buy cheap windows and doors for another 5 years however whether you can sell or rent out your home after 2015 is looking more and more like a very risky investment.
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