Installers news, page 6
- January 2023
EHPA reports need for 500,000 skilled heat pump installers by 2030
The European Heat Pump Association has calculated that the sector needs at least 500,000 skilled full time equivalent workers by 2030 to meet REPowerEU ambitions, after record 2022 sales.
- December 2022
MCS appointed The IAA as a new contractor certification body
MCS has appointed The IAA as a new contractor certification body, the first new-to-scheme certifier in over 10 years, covering heat pumps, solar PV and solar heating.
Wickes begins using Infact data in its marketing
Wickes has used independently verified energy saving facts and figures from Energy Saving Trust's Infact bulletin in its customer marketing since December 2022, the trust has said.
- November 2022
BUS digital service passes Government Digital Standards beta assessment
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme's digital service passed its Government Digital Standards beta assessment in November 2022, letting installers make initial voucher applications online.
- October 2022
MCS published consultation on solar PV product standards
MCS has opened a one-month consultation on proposed updates to its Solar PV and Bespoke Building Integrated PV product standards, with comments due by midday on 7 November 2022.
HES loans and cashback scheme to be relaunched by Autumn 2022
The Scottish Government has confirmed that its successor to the Home Energy Scotland loans and cashback scheme will relaunch in Autumn 2022, with applicants required to use TrustMark or MCS approved suppliers.
HETAS brings back #getfiredup campaign for 2022
HETAS has relaunched its #getfiredup campaign for October 2022, promoting approved retailers and Cleaner Choice solid fuel appliances to consumers as the heating season begins.
- August 2022
Updated IWI moisture guidance distributed by TrustMark at BEIS request
Guidance clarifying that moisture-closed internal wall insulation is not prohibited on solid walls has been released by Dr Sarah Price and distributed by TrustMark at the request of BEIS.
ECO 4 becomes a reality but delivery is at 25 percent of traditional capacity
The Installation Assurance Authority says ECO 4 legislation has been laid after delays, but industry delivery is running at only 25 percent of traditional capacity as installers consider layoffs.
- July 2022
Boiler Upgrade Scheme installer guidance published
Ofgem has published version 1.0 of its installer guidance for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, setting out eligibility rules, grant values and the voucher process for MCS certified installers in England and Wales.
Energy-saving materials VAT rate cut to 0% in Great Britain
VAT on energy-saving materials installed in residential buildings in Great Britain is now 0%, HM Revenue and Customs guidance states, with the relief running until 31 March 2027.
- June 2022
Scottish Government publishes quality assurance policy statement for Heat in Buildings strategy
The Scottish Government has published a quality assurance policy statement for its Heat in Buildings strategy, setting out plans for approved suppliers, retrofit standards, installer skills and enforcement against scams.
Updated ventilation standards enacted
Ventilation standards introduced on 15 June 2022 place explicit responsibility on contractors, sub-contractors and installers to ensure work complies with Part F of the Building Regulations.
- May 2022
Heat Pump Association welcomes launch of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
The Heat Pump Association has welcomed the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which opened with grants of £5,000 for air source and £6,000 for ground source heat pumps in England and Wales.
Nesta decides not to pursue group purchasing for heat pumps
Nesta has decided not to run its own group buying scheme for heat pumps, saying the model has real potential but that the 2022 market is not ready.
Scottish Government publishes quality assurance policy statement for heat in buildings
The Scottish Government has published a quality assurance policy statement for heat in buildings, setting TrustMark and MCS supplier requirements for its schemes and a timetable of actions through 2022.
- April 2022
Group 23 inserted into Schedule 8 Part II by the Value Added Tax (Installation of Energy-Saving Materials) Order 2022
The Value Added Tax (Installation of Energy-Saving Materials) Order 2022 inserted Group 23 into Schedule 8 Part II of the Value Added Tax Act 1994 with effect from 1 April 2022.
MIS 3005 standards due to come into force
The MCS heat pump standard MIS 3005 splits into separate design and installation standards on 1 April 2022, the same day the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive closes.
The split heat pump Standards became mandatory
The MCS heat pump Standard MIS 3005 split into separate design and installation Standards on 1 April 2022, making both mandatory for certified contractors in the UK.
- March 2022
Deadline for completion of Green Homes Grant work
The Green Homes Grant voucher scheme closed to new applicants in 2021, and all insulation and low carbon heating work funded through it had to be finished by 31 March 2022.
Solar Energy UK and industry groups write to Chancellor urging 0% VAT on domestic renewables
Solar Energy UK and a group of industry and environmental bodies have written to Chancellor Rishi Sunak asking him to cut VAT on domestic renewable and energy efficiency technologies to 0% in the Spring Statement.
Government publishes response to PAC report on the Green Homes Grant
BEIS has answered the Public Accounts Committee's criticism of the Green Homes Grant, accepting an unrealistic timetable and promising better design, contractor checks and an evaluation due in August 2023.
Green Homes Grant scheme closes
The Green Homes Grant, which covered up to two-thirds of the cost of energy efficiency works in England, closed in March 2022, leaving households to look to successor schemes.
Spring Statement 2022 expands the VAT relief for ESMs in Great Britain
The government has expanded VAT relief on energy saving materials in Great Britain, setting a temporary zero rate until 31 March 2027 and reinstating wind and water turbines as qualifying materials.
- February 2022
Hero Renewables removed from MCS scheme entirely
MCS has removed Hero Renewables Limited from its certification scheme after an investigation into complaints found significant failings, meaning the company is no longer MCS certified.
- January 2022
Improvement plan deadline passed without adequate response
MCS removed Hero Renewables Limited from its certification scheme after the company failed to supply an adequate improvement plan by the 31 January 2022 deadline.
MCS announces changes to the Heat Pump Standard
MCS has split its Heat Pump Standard into separate design and installation standards, mandatory from 1 April 2022, the day after the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive closes.
Together Energy Retail Ltd customers move to British Gas
British Gas has taken on the 176,000 domestic customers of Together Energy Retail Ltd, which exited the market on 18 January 2022, under Ofgem's supplier of last resort process.