Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
The heating and plumbing sector has launched a campaign to reduce the administrative burden on smaller installers from the Government’s Microgeneration Certification Scheme.
The scheme will be essential in allowing householders to access government funding for installing renewable technology to heat and power their homes.
A campaign instigated by plumbers merchant Mick Williams, chairman of Williams and Co, an independent plumbing and heating merchant, wants the MCS made more appealing and accessible to installers, with much less administration and paperwork required for small businesses.
“Over-regulation is the biggest barrier to renewable take-up. Small businesses are put off becoming accredited, both by the total costs and the weight of paperwork required,” said Williams. “The burden is simply too much for a small company, which is likely to undertake a handful of installations per year.”
There are fewer than 2,500 MCS accredited installers, compared with 120,000 registered gas engineers.
Williams is concerned that the burden of administration might put some installers off applying and that they, in turn might put off their householder customers from even thinking about renewable products.
Manufacturers supporting the campaign include Worcester Bosch Group, Vaillant, Biasi and the BDR-Thermea.
