The Green Deal isn’t to be feared, it’ll be Revolutionary. by Duncan Renewables

 

Following an article from Sussex Trading Standards expert, Steve Playle, in the Guardian detailing his fears about the green deal, we felt compelled to defend the initiative and bring some perspective to the matter.

Firstly he raises the point that with changing fuel prices and different households using different amounts of energy, calculating whether installing new technologies such as biomass boilers and solar pv are beneficial to the homeowner is going to be incredibly difficult. While this is true, the government have been extra cautious and are protecting each individual homeowner by making sure ‘the golden rule’ always applies. This means that appointed, fully qualified advisors will assess each home individually to ensure that the cost of the improvements will not outweigh the savings brought about. Consumers do not need to worry about being ‘ripped off’ as calculations are made on an individual basis in order to protect the homeowner, and this includes the costs of any additional work needed to make these home improvements complete such as rewiring or repointing.

Mr Playle puts forward concerns that doorstep sellers will pressure members of the public to buy into green deal initiatives and that ‘cowboys’ could ruin the scheme altogether with shoddy workmanship. There are many examples in lots of different sectors of rogue traders leaving consumers high and dry, but the DECC already has a wealth of information for consumers online, not to mention the range of independent websites just like this that can help potential green deal customers find the best advice and value in their area.

Mr Playle thinks the government should be promoting the ‘Buy With Confidence’ initiative, but this only really covers areas in the South of England. It would be far more effective to educate consumers generally by investing in quality literature and online content produced by the DECC or even Trading Standards that signposts consumers to where they can get good, honest advice and guidance on the green deal.

Reference to the potential dangers of homes becoming ‘hermetically-sealed greenhouses’ are unfounded. Many existing health conditions are directly attributed to fuel poverty and an inability to heat homes adequately – the green deal should help to combat this and ensure healthier futures for those that need it most. The AECB have raised concerns that heating levels will not be monitored and could cause health issues, but if homes become uncomfortably warm or moist with condensation isn’t it more than likely that homeowners will step up and saying something and/or seek advice from the installers? If one of our customers was to contact us with an issue, we’d ensure a swift resolution to protect our customers and their property.

We wholeheartedly support Mr Playle’s conclusion that regulation is needed, particularly where traders and the quality of their work are concerned. Genuine traders with the customer at the heart of their operation shouldn’t object to independent inspections – if anything it should go to prove the quality of their work. This would go a long way to making sure that customers feel protected as well as sort the men from the boys in the installation of green deal technologies.

The Green Deal has the potential to help end fuel poverty in the UK and provide renewable heat sources for future generations – this isn’t something to be apprehensive about, it’s an exciting and enterprising step in the right direction.

 

About Duncan Renewables
Duncan Renewables install a range of renewable energy technologies in commercial and domestic properties, including solar PV and biomass nationwide. To find out more about free biomass please visit the Duncan Renewables website 

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