Green Deal

The Energy Bill introduced to Parliament on 8 December 2010 includes provision for the new 'Green Deal', which is intended to revolutionise the energy efficiency of British properties.

The Government is establishing a framework to enable private firms to offer consumers energy efficiency improvements to their homes, community spaces and businesses at no upfront cost, and to recoup payments through a charge in instalments on the energy bill.

The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has responsibility for the Green Deal, although there is also significant overlap with the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). Further information from DECC can be found at:

http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/tackling/green_deal/green_deal.aspx

Part of the development of the Green Deal is the approval of advisors and installers by UKAS accredited Certification Bodies, and an intention to align the requirements with Competent Person Schemes (CPS) and the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) where these overlap.

As NAPIT has many members active under CPS and MCS it has applied for UKAS accreditation for these activities. The accreditation process itself is a pilot scheme and will run in parallel to the continuing development of standards and requirements for advisors and installers.

The Green Deal is intended to go live in autumn 2012 and while the measures that will be supported are not fully finalised, the UKAS application process listed them as follows:

1	Condensing Boilers
2	Heating Controls
3	Under-floor Heating
4	Heat Recovery Systems
5	Mechanical Ventilation (non-domestic)
6	Flue-gas Recovery Devices
7	Cavity Wall Insulation
8	Loft Insulation
9	Flat Roof Insulation
10	Internal Wall Insulation
11	External Wall Insulation
12	Draught Proofing
13	Floor Insulation
14	Heating System Insulation (cylinder, pipes)
15	Energy Efficient Glazing and Doors
16	Lighting Fittings
17	Lighting Controls
18	Innovative Hot Water Systems
19	Water Efficient Taps and Showers
20	Ground and Air Source Heat Pumps
21	Solar Thermal
22	Solar PV
23	Biomass Boilers
24	Micro CHP