The Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC) has added its voice to the list of organisations which have expressed disappointment at the recently announced detail of the government's new £2bn Green Homes Grant scheme.

The Green Homes Grant scheme is only accessible for tradespeople that have registered for TrustMark or have a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) accreditation, with limited measures such as heat pump and solar thermal installations covered by the grant. 

John Thompson, Chief Executive at the APHC, says the Green Homes Grant offers limited opportunity for installers. He commented: “I am disappointed that yet again the government has failed to listen to our industry and have created another ill-fated scheme.  Firstly, the government appears to have made a huge oversight in not including high efficiency condensing boilers in the overall scheme as there was much here to assist with stimulating growth and more sustainable employment.

“Secondly, the accreditation standards are far too complex and burdensome for the vast majority of heating installers who will struggle to provide the necessary administration support to operate the required quality management system.

“Thirdly, the scheme is due to finish in March 2021 meaning there is a very small window of opportunity for installers and so the work required to obtain the necessary accreditation may well not be worth it for them.

“Fourthly, it appears that homeowners who use the grant won’t be eligible to claim the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) support which over the long-term may provide greater financial support for renewable technology installation.   

“Ultimately, the Green Homes Grant Scheme offers very little for the average plumbing and heating installer and I fear it will be another Green Deal type failure and will play a very small part in helping the UK meet its 2050 carbon neutral target and, perhaps of equal importance, it will do very little to secure the employment growth in relation to the plumbing and heating industry that is so needed following the pandemic.”