Certification body and training provider NAPIT has welcomed the Government’s just-released ‘Warm Homes Plan’.
The £15 billion plan will see direct support for householders to install technologies such as solar panels and a battery, zero- and low-interest loans for solar panels, and continued support for heat pump installs.
There will also be support for renters and landlords to ensure homes are safe, warm, and affordable.
Low-income households will receive free-of-charge packages of upgrades, depending on what technologies are most suitable for their homes, backed by £5 billion of public investment.
This could include fully funded installations of solar panels and a battery, to the full average cost which is currently between £9,000 and £12,000.
The government-backed, zero- and low-interest loans programme will see more solar panels installed onto existing homes, and new rules will mean every new home will come with solar panels by default.
The Government says this will triple the number of homes with solar panels on their rooftops by 2030.
The £7,500 universal grant for heat pumps will also continue and will be expanded to include air-to-air heat pumps that can also cool homes in the summer.
The Heat Training Grant which provides grants of up to £500 for existing heating engineers to train to install heat pumps in England will be increased over the next three years to March 2029.
This will continue to support existing heating engineers in training to become heat pump installers and will support an increased range of training opportunities in heat networks.
Stephen Melton, NAPIT Commercial and Compliance Director, comments, “It has been a long time coming, but it is good to see this investment which will make it easier and more affordable for people wanting to switch to technologies such as solar panels and heat pumps.
“NAPIT always recommend that these works are carried out by a competent, qualified, and experienced installer which will give consumers added protection and help ensure quality installs.
“We have over 21,000 members who will be crucial in delivering these measures and hope the clarity and certainty this plan will deliver will be welcomed by our installers and encourage more to train and upskill to take advantage of these growth opportunities.
“We have already trained over 500 installers under the Heat Training Grant, so the increase in funding over the next three years is also something we welcome
“The Warm Homes Plan should ensure more people are able to live in warm, healthy, existing homes, and we look forward to the Future Homes Standard being implemented to ensure all new homes are built with as much renewable technology fitted as standard.”
“We also hope that Government will take action soon to cut the cost of electricity and close the gap with gas prices to ensure take-up of technologies to electrify heating in homes.”
Wider industry comments
Mark Krull from LCL Awards and Logic4training has also commented on the Warm Homes Plan, stating, “I’m very pleased to see the Warm Homes Plan finally published, providing security for businesses in the building services sector.
“A huge investment overall – one of the biggest the UK has ever seen in retrofit – [meaning] low-carbon home improvements are now open to everyone.
“Highlights include the fact that batteries are explicitly included under the plan alongside solar PV and heat pumps. Energy storage is critical to supporting low-carbon technologies, ensuring they perform in the most energy-efficient way possible alongside grid fluctuations.
“The introduction of government-backed, zero- and low-interest loans will help to establish domestic battery storage and remove the upfront cost barrier for homeowners. Ambitious plans for Heat Networks are also encouraging.
“To deliver the Warm Homes Plan we need suitably trained installers, so I’m pleased to see that Heat Training Grant funding will continue until 2029.
“Apart from upskilling the installer base, we also need to encourage more young people into the sector.
“The £20 million expansion of ‘free’ construction-based courses is welcome, but I would like to see the new Level 2 Heating & Plumbing Engineer Apprenticeship (due for launch this September) mentioned alongside Diplomas in Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, and Heat Pump Systems.”
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