New Trustmark accreditation required for ECO installers in 2020

The TrustMark accreditation will become a requirement for installers fitting energy efficiency measures with funding from the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme.

TrustMark is a government endorsed quality scheme covering work in consumer homes.

The Government will introduce a fee of £8 + VAT per lodgement which will directly fund audits, compliance activities and technical monitoring.

Legislation setting out the new accreditation is expected to come into force on 1st January 2020.

In addition, TrustMark will implement a requirement for underfloor and room-in-roof insulation measures to be accompanied by a 25 year guarantee.

This will become a requirement from 1st July 2020 to allow time for providers to make such guarantees available.

The new TrustMark scheme has been developed to help reassure households having work done that the companies have met the appropriate standards for installing insulation and new central heating systems in their homes.

New PAS standards

New updated PAS standards will also be incorporated into the ECO scheme, with organisations required to transition to PAS 2030:2019 and PAS 2035:2019 by 30th June 2021.

Those acquiring the new standards early can benefit from a 20% uplift on all measures during the transition period.

PAS 2030:2019 is the specification for the installation of energy efficiency measures, in existing dwellings and insulation in residential park homes.

PAS 2035: 2019 is designed to support PAS 2030 and covers the retrofitting of dwellings for improved energy efficiency. It better clarifies the qualifications and responsibilities of individual retrofit roles and the respective activities required before the physical installation should commence.

See our list of approved accreditation bodies to discover how to get PAS accredited.

Broken boiler uplift

Further change implements a reduction in the uplift for replacements of broken boilers delivered outside of the broken heating system cap to 200% from 400%.

The reduction in uplift may affect the trend in dual measures which has encourages a whole house approach. However, utilities may respond by increasing their funding rate to stabilise the market.

However, broken boiler replacements delivered outside of the cap which are renewable heating measures will retain the 400% uplift.

Changes to first-time central heating

The draft legislation also introduces available funding for first-time central heating installations in private rented properties rated EPC band F and G.

However, for a first-time central heating system to be fitted, cavity wall and loft/roof insulation must also be installed in the property unless already present.

The Government’s full consultation response can be found here

Join our Installer Network

YES Energy Solutions help small to medium (SME) sized installers access ECO funding for their own installations.

By joining our Installer Network, contractors from across UK have the opportunity to access our funding facilities, submit installations and develop their capabilities in line with the latest Government schemes and policies.

• ECO Funding (HHCRO)
• Opportunities for project work with Local Authorities
• Support with PAS2030 accreditation
• Award winning funding and compliance team

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