What is the Green Installer Scheme?

Around 27% of the UK's total carbon emissions are from "domestic" sources. Your house and mine were responsible for pumping out around 150 million tonnes of carbon (Mtc) last year alone. The largest proportion of this is produced as a consequence of heating your home and hot water.

The government has set a target to reduce carbon emissions 20% (from 1990 levels) by 2010. Although reductions have been made in industrial emissions, domestic emissions have remained almost constant since 1990. With less than 3 years to go we are struggling to meet the target.

So what can be done? Well actually quite a lot. And what's more quite a lot can be done without making difficult changes to your lifestyle. And what's even more is that these changes will save you money. For example replacing an old inefficient heating system with a modern energy efficient boiler and control system can reduce your carbon emissions (and heating bills) by as much as 40%! In fact if all the old inefficient heating systems in the UK were replaced this would provide around 13% of the entire carbon savings required to meet the 2010 target.

A Win, Win, Win, Win Scheme

The Green Installer Scheme was set up to ensure that consumers and the heating industry work together to ensure that everyone benefits as much and as quickly as possible from a move to "greener" energy. Consumers benefit from receiving good advice and having the most appropriate energy efficient systems installed. Installers benefit from having a competitive advantage over their non-green colleagues. Friends of the Earth and the other environmental groups we support benefit directly by donation from the scheme. And last but certainly not least we will all benefit from the reduction in carbon emissions the scheme will produce.

How the Scheme Works

To be a member of the scheme installers must commit to the following:

• Using the most energy efficient system & components appropriate to a clients needs
• Ensure that VAT on every domestic installation is charged at the lower rate that is applicable for any energy efficient components used*
• Ensuring installers receive up-to-date training on the specification and installation of energy efficient domestic heating & hot water systems
• Be able to provide sound advice to consumers on matters relating to energy efficiency including renewable and fossil fuel alternatives
• Have an environmental policy that promotes the use of energy efficient products and minimises waste in all aspects of their business operation
• To comply fully with all industry Health & Safety requirements including CORGI membership