The Bathroom Manufacturers Association has spoken out about its disappointment that water-saving fittings have been excluded from the Government’s Green Homes Grant. Despite being widely recognised as energy-saving, efficient taps and showers did not feature on the list of primary or secondary measures fundable through the scheme, published this week.
The Green Homes Grant was announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak in July and means homeowners can benefit from a £5000 voucher to upgrade their homes. However, in the scheme rules published this week, only insulation and low carbon heating are eligible for the grants, along with a few ‘secondary measures’ in special circumstances. Bathroom fittings are excluded altogether.
BMA’s Chief Executive, Tom Reynolds explained the association’s disappointment:
“At first, we were encouraged that this was a Green Homes Grant and not pigeon-holed to a single aspect of a sustainable retrofit. Sadly, as the detail has emerged the scheme appears much narrower than we originally thought.”
“Water-efficient fittings being a great way to save water, save energy and save money. The Government’s advisors on climate change found last year that heating water for showers and hot taps is the second-largest source of household greenhouse gas emissions. With growing water scarcity, measures to reduce wasted water have a double-whammy benefit of reducing carbon and protecting vital water resources, so it’s disappointing to see water efficiency not covered by this new Grant.”