Renegade Conservatory Guy

Get behind the 5% VAT on Energy Rated Windows campaign

Well done Andy Jones from Edgetech for trying to keep the campaign alive for the Government to try to reduce VAT on Energy Saving Recommended windows.

The only thing I can disagree with you on is that 835 signatures to the Number 10 online petition was ‘pretty good’. We both know that the response from the double glazing industry was pathetic, but I know you can’t be seen to say that!

The industry needs to increase momentum in this direction for a number of reasons, not least the fact that as an industry we should be promoting energy efficient products and doing our bit to help reduce the effects of global warming and climate change.

So, if you are reading this, and you have yet to play your part in helping change the Government’s opinion on VAT for Energy Rated windows then you really aught to be writing to your local MP.

Andy Jones from Edgetech has made it easy for us all by writing the letter. If you copy and paste this onto a Word document you will be half way there:

Dear Sir

I am writing to you as my local MP to ask for your advice and help regarding an industry campaign to reduce the VAT on Energy Saving Recommended windows (rated A-C by the British Fenestration Council) to 5%. ESR windows do not yet enjoy the same 5% rate as other ESR products like white goods.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, almost half the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions come from buildings, with 20% of the heat lost from an average home occurring through windows. Despite this obvious energy waste and contributor to fuel poverty, ESR windows remain excluded from the 5% scheme. If every home in the UK installed C rated windows, or higher, carbon emissions could be reduced by 12.8 million tonnes a year, and every year after. This is the equivalent to removing 840,000 cars from the UK’s roads every year.

As a local company, this reduction would have a big impact on my business so I would appreciate any advice you can offer as to how to move this campaign on. I would love to have the opportunity to discuss this with you further if that would be possible. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

Then, if you are unsure who your local MP is or don’t have their contact details then you can contact them easily by using this website They Work For You.

I’m going to get on with sending my MP a letter right now, and I’ll let you know if I get a response.