Renewable Energy Installer February 2014 | Page 27

Knowledge: Green Deal
Green Deal, one year on
As Green Deal reaches its fi rst birthday, REI talks to Plumb Center’s renewables
director Simon Allan about whether it’s been a good year for the government’s
fl agship environmental initiative
ince its launch in January 2013 the eyes of the industry
have been fi xed on Green Deal, and it’s easy to see why.
The fact that Britain tops the league table for fuel poverty
in Western Europe makes it’s clear that steps need to be
taken to make our homes more energy effi cient.
But one year on, Plumb Center’s Simon Allan thinks it’s been
tough for Green Deal.
“When you look at the last election, both the main parties went in
with plans for a pay-as-you-save scheme,” Simon explained. “So there’s
recognition that we need something in place to improve the effi ciency
of our buildings.
“That’s where Green Deal comes in and people are talking about it
as a 20-year-plan, but it’s been a disappointing start.
“Fortunately there are positives to take from 2013 and I see the
diffi cult start as a small hiccup, not a terminal problem.”
S
How to improve
It’s fair to say there hasn’t been a huge demand for Green Deal,
with only 626 going ‘live’ by the end of December - which means the
measures have been installed and the householder is paying the Green
Deal Finance money back.
But Simon thinks longevity is the key for initiatives like this, and a
change of tactics could lead to more success.
“We’re not getting thousands of installers saying: ‘I really need
support for Green Deal because all my customers are asking for it’,”
Simon added.
“So we’re delighted the government has acknowledged this and
plans to simplify things in 2014.
“DECC is also looking at alternative policies surrounding Green
Deal warranties, which is a good thing. Plumb Center is a Green Deal
Provider, but there’s a lot of obligation placed on providers surrounding
insurance and back-warranties.
“It would be very diffi cult for us to supervise every installation,
and to ask us to warranty that on every occasion adds more cost. So
it’s encouraging DECC is planning to make it easier for Green Deal
Providers.”
RHI
The domestic RHI is due to launch in spring, which gives people the
chance to earn money for the renewable energy they create.
Biomass boilers, heat pumps and solar thermal are all covered under
Green Deal, so consumers could qualify for both initiatives.
“It is also our job to make it understandable for people,” Simon
explained. “We’re looking at ways to make things crystal clear for
consumers, so they can think: ‘OK, I’m taking on a loan with Green
Deal Finance, it’ll cost me X, but it’ll save me Y and in addition to that
I’m going to get an income of Z.
“I think the coming together of RHI and Green Deal is exciting for us,
and installers who can explain it to consumers in simple terms.”
One year’s time
So what does Simon think a good year for Green Deal would look like?
“I’d love to see lots more Green Deals being done as a
consequence of the RHI. People who ordinarily couldn’t raise the
fi nance for renewable heating systems could use Green Deal fi nance.
For me that would be a great result.
“I’d also like a process that’s simple and streamlined. If you look
at the world of personal fi nance, you can walk into a car showroom and
drive off with a car in two or three hours, and that’s the kind of level of
service the Green Deal Finance Company needs to be offering to the
market very quickly.”
Slow burner: Plumb Center’s renewables director Simon Allan describes
a sluggish fi rst year for Green Deal as a ‘hiccup’ rather than a terminal
problem
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