The cost of living issue is being exasperated by the often dire energy efficiency of the UK’s housing stock. The government is working to address this problem through grants and funding supporting the improvement of these homes. However, this cannot be achieved without an army of energy professionals to carry it out.
The Government’s Energy Efficiency Goals
The government aims to raise the minimum efficiency standard for houses to a C by 2028. This is a major undertaking as in 2020, more than 12 million homes had an EPC rating of D or worse. In fact, homes in the UK are among the worst insulated in Europe.
The Support For Energy Efficiency Improvements
This is being supported by a series of grants and funding schemes which are being offered to facilitate installations for homeowners who otherwise would not be able to afford it. This includes the ECO4 Scheme, and the Help to Heat Scheme. All told, the UK has dedicated over £2.5 billion to domestic energy reform.
Who Will Carry Out This Work?
This is a mammoth task and calls for a huge workforce. Each individual house improvement project requires at least a DEA and Retrofit Assessor. With millions of houses desperate for improvement, the UK faces a severe need for more energy-efficiency professionals. It is estimated that up to 200,000 skilled jobs could be created by schemes such as ECO 4, ECO+ and the Help to Heat Scheme.
Could You Be An Energy Efficiency Professional?
Whether or not you have prior experience in the energy field, this is a great time to get involved in the industry. The work ahead is showing no signs of slowing down. The UK is headed for major energy reform, relying on the work of thousands of energy professionals to carry it out.
Domestic Energy Assessors will be required to assess the energy performance of houses. Retrofit professionals will have the task of improving them. Experts in traditional homes will need to use their knowledge to ensure that the problems are solved effectively and that solutions are long-lasting.
This is a snapshot of just some of the work required to reach the country’s energy goals. If you would like to find your place in this process, please consider taking one of Energy Trust’s professional courses. There are online learning and in-person courses available for the following roles/certifications:
- Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA)
- Retrofit Assessor
- Introduction to Domestic Retrofit
- Award in Energy Efficiency in Older and Traditional Buildings
Please find out more about what these courses involve to decide which one is right for you. You can book your space online, or call us on 0333 012 0002.
