Paul Joyner, managing director of SBS, part of the Travis Perkins Group, explains how installers can use the Green Deal to make the most of their business.

In a bid to address such energy concerns, the government launched the Green Deal scheme early last year. This promises to help energy-conscious consumers and business owners find a solution while presenting a promising opportunity for tradespeople and contractors. The trouble is, recent research by Wickes, part of the Travis Perkins Group, has revealed that 70% of tradespeople are unaware of it, while three quarters of those who are feel ill informed.

The Green Deal explained

The Green Deal offers funding for energy-saving home and business improvements such as more efficient boilers and new insulation – and in certain specific cases solar panels and double-glazing – through a loan scheme that property owners can repay over time through their electricity bills (the loan is tied to the property) . So far, over 100,000 Green Deal assessments have taken place.

Essentially, the Green Deal can be seen as an added value element that tradespeople and contractors can offer to their customers along with other property improvements. Less than 1,000 households have currently completed works through the Green Deal – however, some 80% of those who have had an assessment have either already begun energy efficiency work or plan to. This indicates there is big potential for heating, ventilation and plumbing providers in this area; they just need to work with others in the industry to promote it to customers.

First, though, it is important to understand the Green Deal process. Loan qualification requires a visit from an assessor accredited with the Green Deal Quality Mark, who assesses the household’s or business’ energy usage, producing an Energy Performance Certificate, and an evaluation of the occupants’ energy use and day-to-day living habits.

Using this information, the provider generates a Green Deal plan, outlining the appropriate energy-saving measures along with potential payback amounts and time periods. Approved Green Deal installers then advise on and install suitable improvements, while the Green Deal provider finances the loan.

A key aspect of the Green Deal is the 'Golden Rule', which ensures that any increase in electricity bills due to the loan repayment is offset by a corresponding drop in gas costs. So the overall energy cost should not rise in the short term.

How to qualify

The obvious opportunities for those in the heating, ventilation and plumbing trade are as installers or assessors.

To become an accredited Green Deal installer, a business or trader must register with a scheme provider, and train to cover specific areas of expertise and to enable the operation of a Quality Management system in line with the PAS2030 standard. Training courses are available from a number of energy companies, including Travis Perkins' partner Toriga.

Assessors must meet National Occupational Standards requirements, requiring successful completion of relevant training and exams, Green Deal Quality Mark registration, and compliance with its code of practice. Existing domestic energy assessors can top up their skills through shorter courses.

A winning situation

Cutting energy output makes perfect sense in today’s world. By enabling lending through a well-regulated scheme – one that consumers can trust and afford – the Green Deal is helping the industry to deliver reliable energy efficiency.

If the industry promotes it well, the result can be better housing stock and more business opportunities for tradesmen and contractors.