Green Grants tied to Energy Performance Certificates
This is something I wanted to see, though I didn't expect to see it delivered in quite this way!
The Communities and Local Government (CLG) website has today published details of the availability of 'Green Grants' which will be linked to the results of Energy Performance Certificates (EPC).
This could be a double-edged sword for Domestic Energy Assessors because the grants are funded by... six of the major energy suppliers (and "other partners")!
The combined worth of the green grants are said to amount to £2.5 billion over the next three years, but won't become available until April 2008.
I have already voiced my opinion on the impotency of the current EPC legislation as, in its current form, it is penal in its implementation at the point of sale.
Effective EPCs
So although we have yet to see the finer print on this latest announcement, I have to say that I broadly welcome this as good news for both the industry, but more importantly, the home-owner too.
Once a new home-owner moves into their new home and signs a new contract with an energy supplier (participating in the scheme), they will be offered details of the grants which will be targeted at the recommendations given in the Energy Performance Certificate.
What happened to the privacy of the EPC?
This is dependant upon the new home-owner providing the EPC to the supplier, of course.
So, whilst the Government has always been at-pains to say that the EPC will remain firmly locked-up within the Landmark-run database, now they place many home-owners in a catch-22 position on whether to hand over their EPCs to the marketing departments of the energy companies, and the contractors/subsidiaries they (presumably) employ to do the work.
Consumers who choose to give details from their EPC to suppliers will also receive targeted offers for recommendations in their certificate. This information will not be used for any other purpose and cannot be given to anyone else by the supplier.
Hmm!
So, when a home is sold, who has to be told? (Hint: The energy supplier, of course!)
Kerching! - Marketing opportunity!
Who have been quietly training staff for the DipDEA? (Hint: Behave!)
Any DEAs looking to top-up their dwindling fees through referrals (which is probably tantamount to the same thing anyway!), have just had their butts slapped again.
Like I said, the intent is good for the home-owner, but the implementation, not necessarily so... we'll see.
