Renewable Energy Installer December/January 2014 | Page 7

News: Analysis
Saving the nation
Plumber Center has launched a series of policy recommendations aimed at driving
the uptake of energy effi ciency measures. Tim Pollard, Plumb Center’s head of
sustainability and the paper’s key author, tells REI how he hopes it will reignite the
market and jump start Green Deal
n Monday 28 October, guests and industry
representatives were invited to the House of
Commons for the launch of Plumb Center’s manifesto
for stimulating the energy effi ciency market. With
Green Deal still bedding in, and the threat of reducing energy
consumption slipping down the public consciousness, Tim Pollard
spotted the need for a set of practical solutions devised by those
at the heart of the sector.
“The document augments current policy and fi lls the gaps,”
he said. “We are not arrogant enough to think that we can change
the world but we are not seeing the levels of uptake we had all
hoped for. Plus, the conversation about energy effi ciency has never
been as relevant as now, after all the recent energy price rises.
“We are trying to focus attention and provoke discussion in
the run up to next year’s general election which inevitably drives
new policy ideas and strategy. Where we can add value to that is
with our knowledge of the industry. The manifesto is obviously
Plumb Center’s view but I believe it refl ects an industry-wide
consensus from conversations I’ve had with people working in
energy effi ciency.”
The manifesto’s key recommendations include an increase in
stamp duty for the least energy effi cient homes, an equalisation in
the rate of VAT for energy effi ciency improvements and legislating
to link Part L building improvements with the requirement for a
Green Deal assessment.
The proposals are both consumer and installer focused to
simultaneously kick start demand and supply for energy effi cient
measures. The manifesto also stresses the need for increased
government funding for installers seeking to become Green Deal
and/or ECO accredited following Plumb Center’s calculation that
an individual with no relevant qualifi cations would face costs of
up to £16,000 to enter the marketplace.
“Nothing is very radical in the document but we believe
each recommendation can have a signifi cant impact on the
marketplace,” added Pollard. “It is by no means perfect but we are
trying to refl ect reality and what is actually deliverable.
“Funding such as the £500,000 pledged towards RHI training
is welcome and we encourage our customers to benefi t from it.
But, in all honesty, it’s fairly small scale and limited in scope. Many
people were surprised by the calculation we made in the paper for
an untrained person but that is an indication of the reality which
we face.
“All of the recommendations should have some resonance
with REI readers by helping them understand where we are as an
industry and what we can do to improve and increase uptake.”
O
Pollard proclaims: Plumb Center’s head of sustainability sets out proposals
to increase the supply and demand of energy effi ciency measures
Summary of recommendations
1. Increase in stamp duty for energy performance rated F and G
homes
2. An ‘MOT for the home’ pilot with local authorities
3. Equalisation of VAT for energy effi ciency measures to the
lowest rate
4. Reforming the Winter Fuel Payment Scheme to divert funding
to the Affordable Warmth Scheme
5. Mandatory display of energy certifi cates for all buildings
6. Linking Part L building improvements and Green Deal
7. Increase in the scope of Landlord Energy Saving Allowance to
refl ect approved Green Deal and ECO measures
8. A single Energy Effi cient Technician Certifi cation for installers
to replace MCS and Green Deal certifi cation
9. More funding support for installers
10. Simplifi cation of competency registration
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