Government plans for the Green Deal and the Energy Company Obligation (Eco) need further changes, warned respondents to the latest round of consultation by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (Decc).
Business lobby group the CBI highlighted significant “challenges”. It suggested that the government’s proposals for a rigorous accreditation system for assessors, providers and installers risked higher costs for consumers. It also warned of a hiatus for installers later this year in the period between the end of current subsidy arrangements and the start of the Green Deal.
The CBI argued that loft insulation and cavity wall insulation should be included within the carbon-saving element of Eco for a limited time. Once the Green Deal is up and running, Eco funding is expected to target homes requiring solid wall insulation.
SmartestEnergy questioned the independence of the assessors who will carry out energy efficiency reports on properties and voiced concern over the costs involved for suppliers in changing billing systems to handle repayments.
Calor, one of many companies undecided about whether or not to become a Green Deal provider, said unless Energy Performance Certificates were redesigned to reflect carbon savings rather than energy costs, rural householders will face “massive extra costs” to qualify for Green Deal loans.
Waterwise expressed concern that energy and water companies would not be encouraged to work together to provide the most efficient ways of heating water.
l A poll carried out for Consumer Focus Scotland revealed little Green Deal appetite among Scottish consumers. They feared a barrage of unwanted sales calls.
by Roger Milne
This article first appeared in Utility Week’s print edition of 27 January 2012.
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