I am amazed by how many potential double glazing customers have rung Hazlemere Window Company Ltd where I work in High Wycombe, Bucks, and asked me "Do you offer the government national windows scrappage scheme?"
Fair play to Anglian for clever marketing that has led consumers (like the ones I have spoken to personally) to somehow wrongly believe that there is actually a government national windows scrappage scheme - when at present there is not. The marketing I have seen for both Anglian and Everest do not mention the word "Government", but for some unknown reason some folk in the UK seem to "assume" that any national window scrappage scheme must be a government one?
Given there is a government national scrappage scheme for boilers (Up to £400 off if you qualify with an old enough boiler or something along those lines I believe?), and a national car scrappage scheme, I can sort of see why it is believable that some folk many actually miss-interpret the Anglian and Everest marketing messages to wrongly think that there is a government scrappage scheme for old windows!
There seems to have been a lot of research undertaken by consumers on this controversial subject, as many seem to be trying to find out whether or not there is in fact a government national windows scrappage scheme. If such a financially helpful scheme for property owners actually existed it would not only assist hard pressed householders, during these recessionary times, but also act as an incentive to fit the latest technologically advanced energy efficient energy saving double glazed windows.
However as the well known double glazing industry blogger "Renegade Conservatory Guy" points out on his blog it was only a matter of time before folk like Anglian and Everest "created their own window scrappage scheme", and going by some of the comments by consumers on his blog on the subject, some seem very unimpressed by such "obvious" marketing ploys.
My own view, is that many double glazing companies appear to build in huge discounts so some can "claim" to offer "up to 70% off" which is surely not credible? If any retail outlet offers 35%, 50% or 70% off, surely their original retail price must have been a rip off to start with? By building in such discounts into prices, this inflates the cost, so such marketing schemes like a "scrappage scheme" can be offered in lieu of the usual discount given away regardless. Plus the fact of the matter is any double glazing company worth their salt will take away your old windows as part of the service/contract anyway.
Why do any of us fall for such blatant marketing? I suspect it is because we all like a bargain, and/or want to think we are paying less than others, when in fact we can end up paying more than we should, so it is always wise to research any large purchases thoroughly, to ensure you hopefully end up getting the right value for money product, quality and service you deserve.
Sadly, whilst there is no government windows scrappage scheme, you can join the campaign led by the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) to have one by signing up the the number 10 petition submitted by Nigel Rees of the GGF. So far 4,236 have signed up, which has a closing date of 24th March 2010. "We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to introduce a window scrappage scheme in the UK to improve the energy efficiency of the existing housing stock." Click here if you would like to sign the petition
Obviously, if a government funded national windows scrappage scheme did ever exist, it should hopefully act as an incentive to install energy efficient energy saving "green" windows. Under the proposed Glass and Glazing Federation scheme it is hoped that householders will be encouraged to scrap their old poorly insulated windows in return for a £1,000 grant towards the installation costs of new, professionally installed, energy efficient double glazed ones. The benefits to consumers would include the £1,000 saving, a facelift for their property, lower energy bills and a reduction in their carbon footprint as a consequence of more energy efficient homes.
Surely, both the environment and Government carbon reduction targets would also benefit with the reduction of emissions from the existing housing stock?
Consequently, Buckinghamshire based Hazlemere Windows who I work for fully supports the GGF's call for a national window scrappage scheme, particularly after the proven success of the national car scrappage scheme, which reportedly has accounted for one in five of all new car sales over recent months!
Energy efficient windows (EEWs) can make a massive difference by improving the thermal performance of the existing UK housing stock. Nigel Rees, Chief Executive of the GGF, commented recently that "Energy Efficient Windows (EEWs) have a huge role to play in improving the thermal performance of the existing housing stock". "EEWs can reduce emissions by 10% from dwellings nationally and reduce national domestic energy expenditure by 10%."
Whilst the GGF proposed window scrappage scheme will obviously not save the planet, it would, if introduced, not only be a welcome financial incentive to UK property onwers, but it would also send the right sort of signal to consumers that the government (regardlss whether a conservative or labour one) is committed to encouraging and supporting energy efficiency, reducing the UK's carbon emmissions and helping home owners save energy and money. So, if you do want to lobby your local MP and the government for a real and genuine national windows scrappage scheme, now is as good a time as any to do so!
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