introduction
We worked with clients npower and partners Wolseley UK (Plumb Center) and major heating manufacturers to deliver the A1 Boilers scheme, launched in 2003. The partnership brought together all areas of the supply chain to encourage heating engineers to specify and install high efficiency heating technologies, above the lower level systems which were seen as cheaper and easier to install
challenge
The initiative was set up and run to incentivise the installation of A rated boilers. In April 2008, new government regulations meant that all new boiler installations had to be A rated, meaning that the initiative could no longer subsidise the installation in return for carbon dioxide savings. This threatened the initiative and the installer base that had been built up.
solution
The partnership reacted to this fundamental change by:
- Focusing on fuel switching - funding the installation of new gas, oil or LPG central heating systems where the homeowner previously used a less carbon efficient fuel (such as coal or electricity).
- Building on its existing partnership and through consultation with our loyal installer base, npower through us as the managing agents, launched A1-Insulation exclusively with Wolseley's Build Center and insulation manufacturer Rockwool. As a result, heating engineers could then receive npower subsidies, training and support to insulate customers' lofts, giving the engineer another revenue stream and an opportunity to grow their business. This concluded in June 2009.
- Renewables in A1 LCS. In January 2010 A1 LCS expanded its service offer to installers. In association with Plumb Center and funded jointly by npower and selected manufacturer support, A1 LCS now offers installers opportunity to sign up and register on to the A1 Microgen scheme. This now gives installers access to funding for fitting Solar Thermal systems on behalf of the homeowner.
To reflect these changes the partnership re-branded itself
A1-Low Carbon Solutions. A1 LCS is a detailed partnership designed
to make it easy for smaller engineers to access reliable and
consistent funding through different streams of heating work.
The Loft Insulation scheme was successful in its application,
achieved the required carbon savings and completed by June
2009.
outcome
As managing agents we have facilitated the partnership between
18 major industry stakeholders working together. As a result of
this unique partnership, the A1 Low Carbon Solutions scheme won the
'H&V' News award - Partnership initiative of the year 2007, and
was a finalist in the same category for 2009.
Historically over 4,500 installers were active on the combined
schemes and over 220 used both A1 Low Carbon Solutions and A1
Insulation.
There are still over 1,200 installers actively using npower funding to facilitate Fuel Switching and Solar Thermal installations for homeowners.
A1 Low Carbon Solutions Achievements since 2008:
- 4,000+ properties have replaced coal or electric systems with more energy efficient gas, oil or LPG fired systems
- 10,936+ 'A' rated boilers have been installed into domestic properties
- 116 solar thermal systems installed, helping to bring solar technology to the mass market
- 582 homes fitted with optimum start programmable room thermostats
- 21,529 total lofts insulated between April 2008- June 2009
- A1 Insulation can claim 88,118 tCO2 saved between its launch in April 2008 and conclusion in June 2009
- A1 LCS can claim over 103,875 tCO2 saved
" A1 Boilers is a brilliant scheme. I am passing the discounts and incentives on to my customers and uptake has been very good."
David Wilkinson, Installer, Pro Gas
