Not exactly the outcome we expected from ‘the greenest government ever’; as for the Green Deal, well, it remains a miserable failure- enough said on that one.

But the fact remains that climate change - caused principally by the emissions of greenhouse gases - is the single biggest challenge facing us today. And every person, business and more recently cow, has a part to play in that. What we need now is a sensible strategy for addressing this challenge; one that identifies the roles for everyone whilst also providing a viable market for the industries concerned.

Members of the Manufacturers’ Association of Radiators and Convectors (MARC) have all recognised their role in this challenge, bringing to market high performing efficient radiators that meet both the needs of the planet and the needs of homeowners.

The government on the other hand have so far failed to recognise the important role they play in the decarbonisation of UK homes. Radiators have been absent from every energy efficiency incentive scheme to date, and overlooked as an important factor in domestic carbon reduction. This has resulted in millions of homes with old inefficient radiators, often suffering from a bad case of corrosion and sludge build up.

The benefits of an energy efficient or renewable heating system can only be realised if the whole system is efficient, including having the right supporting products in place, otherwise a newer heating system can become redundant if it is working with ageing technology.

If the UK is to meet its carbon reduction targets, the next Government must take an all-encompassing approach to energy efficiency.

Including the whole heating system in incentive schemes, and considering what measures a homeowner is most likely to carry out is just the start.

Build more new homes

We would like to see housebuilding increase to at least pre-2008 levels. With the low level of home building over the past 7 years we are in desperate need to build more homes, both for the economy and energy efficiency. MARC would like to see home building at around 200,000 a year. However we recognise that this may be difficult to begin with. So we would like to see building levels rapidly reach 150,000 and for the new government to publish a comprehensive plan on how they could reach even higher numbers. This plan should be done in conjunction with industry, including the heating industry, and not to the detriment of energy efficiency standards in order to start building again. These new homes will also play an important part in reducing our future energy consumption so we would expect them to be both renewable ready and energy efficient.

Bring rental properties up to scratch

Social housing providers have the best SAP rated homes of all tenure types, largely due to the decent homes programme. Unfortunately private landlords are under no pressure to do the same. In 2015 the current government passed legislation forcing landlords to improve their homes to a band E by 2018. However the loop holes in that legislation will probably mean no landlord will actually be forced to improve the energy efficiency of the homes they own.

MARC would like all private landlords to be required to ensure their homes reach a band D by 2018. This should include a new heating system and new radiators. This will help to reduce carbon emissions, ensure tenants have lower bills, and as a result reduce fuel poverty.

Take action against fuel poverty

On the subject of fuel poverty; the current government made the right noises by putting out legislation to ask for a reduction, however, it contained no actual measures or deliverables. The next government need to put their money where their mouth is, to help reduce the bills of those who find themselves in fuel poverty; ensuring that their heating system – including radiators -is efficient and fit for purpose.

The proposals by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to allow doctors to refer those in fuel poverty to schemes which would enable them to have new heating systems installed were interesting. The health benefits and subsequent savings to the NHS would far outweigh the installation and product costs. MARC would like to see a scheme of this kind explored properly.

One of the last acts of the current Government was the so called ‘Central Heating Fund’, which is designed to make available funding for 8,000 off grid homes to have central heating for the first time. This is an excellent initiative and will allow those homes to reduce their bills. Radiators will play an important part in heating these homes and we home the next government provides further funding to this project so more homes can benefit.

The message from MARC is simple;

Energy efficiency requires an inclusive approach. We need more homes, and they need to be built with the future in mind.  Existing homes, be they rented or owned must be retrofitted to ensure they are energy efficient, and we mustn’t forget our duty to do more to tackle fuel poverty.