Existing houses ''require more sustainable construction measures''

Posted by Andrew Marshall.

More sustainable construction measures need to be introduced to the country''s existing domestic buildings, it has been suggested.

According to the Existing Homes Alliance, retrofitting is one major area that ministers need to commit to in the near future.

The organisation believes that within the next 20 years, retrofitting needs to be applied to every house.

Alliance chair Colin Butfield suggests that energy inefficient homes are having negative financial and environmental impacts.

He commented: ''It is now essential that the government establishes a national retrofit programme with some urgency so that we can meet the UK''s carbon budget targets.''

Meanwhile, Mr Butfield''s organisation also hopes to see more attention given to Energy Performance Certificates when it comes to the domestic property market.

The green retrofitting of the country''s school buildings may also be touched upon by ministers as part of a proposed review, which follows recommendations made by the Zero Carbon Task Force.