| Abstract |
The Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Services (EERS) sector has over the past five years undergone unprecedented change. Firstly, the introduction of the Green Deal saw the provision of national domestic energy efficiency measures placed in the hands of the private retrofit industry, which had previously been accustomed to government financial and administrative assistance. Then, secondly, when the implementation of the Green Deal failed, with limited uptake and unattractive finance arrangements, the EERS sector, was left without any policy provision to enable increased levels of retrofit. Furthermore, this uncertainty in government assistance is compounded by the lack of long term government planning, now that the UK's process of departing from the EU common market has commenced. Therefore, moving forward from this point, the need to generate an EERS sector which is capable of being self-sufficient outside of a policy incentive scheme is a priority. This research provides insight from EERS sector practitioners as to the barriers presently in place halting progress towards self-sufficiency, and suggested strategies to remove these limitations. Key findings suggest policy presence within the retrofit industry has created complacency, meaning training and heightened professionalism towards generating and retaining business is important. In particular the importance of quality marketing methods and customer care strategies are considered key. This skills enhancement also needs to be focused upon in terms of producing an industry where individuals can train and enter a professional and achieve a lifelong, rewarding career. Customer habits and types also need to be understood more widely by practitioners, with the concept of general home improvements, being linked to energy efficiency measure installment, being a key central strategy in need to adoption. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. |