Global Warming 2020

Global Warming and Home Information Packs (HIPs)   by Dermot A Fennell

Is Global warming a real threat and a problem locally?Are energy saving home initiatives worth while?

I have been working with Flintshire County Council for the past 10/11 years, and have seen many instances of the devastation caused by unstable weather and flash flooding. This prompted me to extend my knowledge and continue my professional development (CPD) in the field of domestic energy use and performance, through home inspection reporting. Although at the time my employers did not see the relevance of my CPD in relation to my role as a Chartered Surveyor. I pushed on at my own expense regardless. Through home Inspection and energy reporting many issues have been raised.

In my opinion there are significant implications for residents and home owners affected by unstable weather conditions.

I currently reside in Buckley, Flintshire, which has the advantage of being well above sea level and generally with lower relevant water table levels, therefore at little risk of flooding. Many other residents of Flintshire are not as fortunate and will be well aware of the consequences of flash flooding. A few years back there was devastation caused when Mold and coastal areas were temporarily sent to the blue depths. This was seen as a freak of nature and not a reoccurring problem. However, Central England is one of the current victims. Victims may have been lucky enough to be covered by insurance, and consider the issues past tense.

However, I feel this leaves a number of questions to be answered:-

1. What about after flooding subsides, what happens to the areas that were affected? Does life go back to normal or is the area blighted? 2. What of property insurance renewal? Have insurance companies renewed policies without winging, have they refused renewal or increased renewal premiums? 3. If you owned a property within a flooded area, and now wish move on or to sell your property? Will purchasers shy away because of the potential of future flooding? Are you now “stuck in the mud” and unable to move on to new pastures? 4. Will investment into the affected areas be reduced due to general blighting? 5. Is increasingly unstable weather patterns an issue we need to be concerned about? 6. What is being done and what needs or can to be done to remove the effects of blight and hopefully reduce the possibility of reoccurrence? 7. Do you think we should take a chance and ignore global warming? What about our children and grand children’s futures? 8. What strategy does the local council have in place to ensure the welfare of local residents?

But, to consider my concerns locally. I now work with a local company home inspections Chester, www.homeinspectionschester.co.uk and have been inadvertently offering free advice in respect of energy use in my personal effort to assist in the reduction of Carbon monoxide (Co2) emissions in to the atmosphere. I have seen evidence that a professionally produced home energy use report can assist in reducing Co2 emissions dramatically. Last week I visited a local property to review the energy ratings. This property was a detached house constructed during the 1960s. I completed an “energy performance report” using government approved standard assessment procedures, and determined that the owners annual energy use was 383 KWh/m2 this equated to 6.3 Tonnes of co2 gases being released into the atmosphere, with an average fuel cost to the owner of £1650. I made simple recommendations, which were subsequently carried out at no cost to the property owner, through the assistance of grant aid. As a test I carried out revised calculations. The revised calculations confirmed a reduction in Co2 emissions of 3.6 Tonnes per annum, and a saving of £396 per annum in fuel costs.

I think I am doing my bit.

Regards Dermot

About the Author
Dermot A Fennell Chartered Surveyor www.HomeInspectionsChester.co.uk

Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=693208