Green Homes Grant still provides opportunity for savvy installers says Roseview
Recent clarification on the Green Homes Grant, including news that it can only be used to replace single glazing (and even then only as a secondary measure), has been met with both joy and disappointment. Joy because it puts a stop to homeowners cancelling live jobs in the hope of receiving a grant. Disappointment because it makes most replacement glazing projects ineligible.
But respected sash window and secondary glazing manufacturer Roseview Windows points out that, while the scheme may be limited, it provides a unique opportunity for installers willing to put the effort in.
Roseview Director Paul Bygrave explains: “After the initial fanfare, many now feel that the Green Homes Grant has turned into a bit of a damp squib. But if you look a little closer we believe it still provides a clear opportunity for installers. The scheme may be more complicated than originally thought, but with a little effort there’s potentially a rich seam of business here.
“First we have to look at how many homes are suitable.” Paul continues. “Different surveys suggest that between 85% and 95% of homes are double-glazed. Given that the Office for National Statistics estimate that there are almost 28 million homes in the UK, that means somewhere between 1.4 and 4.2 million homes still have single glazing. That’s not an insignificant number, especially when you consider that many of them are likely to be clustered.
“To be able to offer solutions for these homes installers need to be approved. That means being registered with TrustMark. It may also mean being PAS 2030 accredited. At the moment PAS 2030 accreditation still hasn’t been publicly confirmed, and we’re hearing talk that a cut-down version may allow installers to register for the scheme. What we can say is that many installers won’t bother trtying, cutting the competition for Green Home Grant projects.”
Paul concludes: “The scheme only runs until March 2021, so this is clearly a time-limited opportunity. But for installers prepared to put the effort in, the potential rewards are great. Ultimately this is a gilt-edged chance for homeowners with single-glazing to receive government funding to get it replaced or enhanced. Registered installers who offer the right products – and sash windows and secondary glazing are perfect for upgrading single-glazing – could do very well.”
