7 minute read
Green Homes Grant
THE GREEN HOMES GRANT WAS A DISAPPOINTMENT – BUT AT LEAST WE’VE FINALLY GOT SOME CLARITY
Andy Jones, Group Managing Director of Victorian Sliders, comments on the latest details about the government’s Green Homes Grant.
After a frustrating few weeks, the government has finally confirmed the details of its Green Homes Grant. First announced back in July, the multibillionpound scheme was billed as a way of boosting the UK economy in the wake of coronavirus, and accelerating attempts to reach the country’s ambitious 2050 carbon reduction targets. We were told that homeowners were to be offered vouchers worth up to £5,000 to cover two-thirds of the cost for home improvements that increase energy efficiency. It sounded promising in theory - but, crucially, we weren’t told what products would be eligible. For the fenestration industry, that was a big problem. Customers started cancelling orders in the belief that they’d be able to get them significantly cheaper once the initiative began. Our sector had come out of lockdown to find extremely high demand for windows and doors - but many feared this was now under threat.
REPLACING SINGLE GLAZING ONLY
Weeks later, we’ve finally got some clarity about the scheme, and what it means for fenestration. In my view – and the view of a lot of people I’ve spoken to in the industry – it’s a real disappointment. Homeowners can only claim the vouchers if they want to install insulation, ground or air-source heat pumps, or solar panels. If they use them to pay for one of the above, they can also use them for glass and glazing products – but only to replace single-glazed windows with double, triple or secondary glazing, or install energy efficient doors. Given that around 90% of the UK’s windows are now thought to be doubleglazed already, that drastically limits the amount of work British glazing businesses and their suppliers will get out of the scheme.
Andy Jones, Group Managing Director, Victorian Sliders
It’s also worth noting that of the windows that aren’t currently double-glazed, many can’t be replaced, because they’re found in listed buildings. For sash window manufacturers like Victorian Sliders, the scheme may prove more positive – I’m willing to bet that there are more singleglazed sash windows still in use in the UK than casements. For the sector as a whole, however, the impact will likely be minimal.
BACK TO BUSINESS
But at least we know now exactly what the Green Homes Grant scheme entails. It’s likely that the vast majority of projects put on hold before the full details were announced weren’t replacing single glazing, which means that most if not all can be resumed. The critical thing now is letting the public know the full details of the scheme. The government’s communications on this have been vague and unhelpful so far, so it’s probably down to us to tell them that most of the products they want installed won’t be eligible. In the medium to long term, it’s possible that the initiative might have some positive effects for fenestration. The focus on the importance of sustainability may persuade homeowners to invest in energy efficient window and door products. But let’s hope that now, with uncertainty about the grant scheme over, we can get back to what’s been one of the most buoyant periods we’ve experienced in decades. For more information visit www.victoriansliders.co.uk or call 01269 846200.
GREEN HOMES DEAL OFFERS LITTLE FOR WINDOW INSTALLERS, SAYS FENSA
As the Government releases further information regarding the Green Homes Grant initiative a month after the headline announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, installers who experienced hundreds of cancelled orders have now been joined in their disappointment by homeowners learning that they will not, after all, have their replacement doors and windows heavily subsidised when the scheme launches in September.
Although there was no specific mention that ‘double-glazing’ would be included in the initial announcement made to MPs in the House of Commons on 8th July, there was immediate speculation that the energy efficiency grants would include replacement windows. This resulted in a
number of window and door installers reporting cancellations of signed orders as homeowners interpreted the announcement as providing large subsidies for the windows and doors that they had ordered, if they waited for two months when the scheme was set to begin. Now that further details of the Green Homes Grant scheme have been released, it has become clear that only single glazed windows will qualify for replacement, with the emphasis now clearly placed upon insulation and other energy efficiency measures. The latest statement by the government does refer to replacing doors, but the details of this remain unclear. “Frustratingly, the Green Homes Grant scheme will be seen as a missed opportunity by everyone across the glazing industry,” says Chris Beedel, Director of Membership for FENSA. “FENSA will continue to engage with BEIS [Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy] to ensure that Government sees the positive contribution that replacement windows and doors can make to the energy efficiency of homes in the UK.” However, it was the nature of the announcement of the Green Homes Grant scheme that has caused the greatest frustration, says Beedel: “The nature of the announcement of Green Homes resulted in widespread speculation amongst homeowners that they would be broadly entitled to substantial discounts, which resulted in the inevitable and highly damaging cancellation of hundreds of orders. This had the reverse effect of stimulating business and creating jobs, and damaged window installation companies throughout England and Wales. “Furthermore,” said Beedel, “even the relatively few homes to which the Green Homes window and door grants will now apply, can only be installed by companies who have additionally been certificated against the PAS2030 standard, when the opportunity should have gone to all FENSA Approved Installers and other government sponsored competent persons schemes.” Chris Beedel concluded: “We firmly believe the glazing industry has a major role to play in hitting energy efficiency targets and FENSA will continue to engage with BEIS to ensure that Government sees the positive contribution that replacement windows and doors can make to the energy efficiency of homes in the UK.”
GREEN HOMES GRANT STILL PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY FOR SAVVY INSTALLERS
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
Paul Bygrave, Director, Roseview
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 trying, 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.”
