The Great British Insulation Scheme
In a session with eFixx TV, GTEC's MD, Griff Thomas, shed light on the Great British Insulation Scheme. Inside the roof of GTEC’s in-centre ‘house’, where people can gain practical experience of installing insulation, Griff chat’s with eFixx’s, Gordon Routledge, exploring the problems with the government initiative, which promises much but has so far delivered little in terms of public engagement and uptake.
What is the Great British Insulation Scheme?
The Great British Insulation Scheme aimed to retrofit 100,000 energy inefficient homes with insulation. However, with just shy of 3,000 homes taking part so far, the scheme is far from its target. Why is a scheme with such potential struggling to reach its audience?
Griff and Gordon explore the possible reasons behind the low uptake, emphasising the lack of public awareness and the complexities involved in the application process.
What’s wrong with the Great British Insulation Scheme?
Griff explains the barriers homeowners face, from understanding the eligibility criteria to navigating the assessment process. It has become evident that while the Great British Insulation Scheme is well-intentioned, its execution lacks the clarity and simplicity needed for widespread adoption.
One of the big problems is a lack of Domestic Retrofit Assessors, required to assess properties who apply for the scheme.
Insulation training for homeowners and industry professionals
Griff points to GTEC's new online insulation courses, as a useful resource for both homeowners and trades people looking to understand the benefits and installation techniques involved in insulation upgrades. These resources not only demystify the insulation process but also provide actionable advice on improving home energy performance, regardless of one's eligibility for the scheme.
For heating engineers, adding insulation to their offering could enhance business and improve the efficiency of their installs.
The Great British Insulation Scheme may have failed to get off the ground, but Griff stressed that making homes as energy efficient as possible should be something we all strive for, regardless of financial incentives.
To find out more about GTEC’s insulation and retrofit assessor courses, click here.
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