Andrew Stunell Meets with Fusion21 KTP Associates

With the countdown to the Government's Green Deal initiative underway, the Communities Minister Andrew Stunell visited the University of Salford's pioneering Energy House and met with Fusion21’s two KTP associates.

The visit to the Energy House comes as the Government published the biennial report on progress to make the nation's buildings more sustainable. A new design for the front page of Energy Performance Certificates has also been revealed. The changes will make the certificate more relevant and engaging to householders, and help them understand what action can be taken to make their homes warmer and save money on energy bills.

During the visit the Minister met with Fusion21 and Salford University KTP Associates Sharon Chahal and Luke Smith. They had the opportunity to discuss the individual toolkits both are working on, Sharon around resident engagement and Luke around technical and financial viability.

Sharon said, “Meeting Andrew Stunell was a great opportunity to showcase our work and our individual KTP projects, the minister’s interest within this field demonstrates the government’s commitment to this area.”

Luke added, “It was a fantastic opportunity to get a chance to meet with the Minister and discuss our shared interests in low carbon domestic retrofit.”

Communities Minister Andrew Stunell acknowledged the significant importance of both KTP projects and said:

"Over 40 per cent of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions come from the built environment, so we must make every effort to ensure retrofit schemes like the Green Deal work, or the country risks losing its battle against climate change. That's why I've come to the Energy House today. This fantastic facility shows us that greening our homes isn't just an elite pastime, it's something everyone can do.

"With the countdown to the Green Deal underway, the Energy House will be a vital tool for understanding how measures to improve energy efficiency measures work in practice. I have argued for many years that we must close the gap between the predicted improvements of retrofitting and actual energy performance, so I'm delighted the Energy House will help us achieve this."

The Minister also witnessed the work being carried out by the University of Salford's Energy Hub, to encourage tenants to take up the Green Deal. Mr Stunell said improving tenant engagement will be vital to the success of the Green Deal. By working closely with Salford’s Energy Hub, Fusion21 are well placed to help social landlords understand how to get tenants on board, and the best way for social landlords to promote retrofit schemes.