The government’s flagship energy efficiency scheme partially kicked off this week to little fanfare, with builders claiming a delay to the Green Deal will hinder economic growth while major retailers held off joining until it proved a success.

Homeowners could begin registering with the scheme on Monday, which won’t fully open until next spring. Companies wanting to be certified Green Deal Installers can already apply for certification.

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) bemoaned the fact that work under the Green Deal won’t start until February 2013.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB said: “When agreed time frames are not adhered to, businesses lose faith in what the Government is saying.

“The Government predicts that the Green Deal programme could kick start £14bn of investment over the next decade and support at least 65,000 new insulation and construction jobs by 2015. However, with the construction industry continuing to falter, we need this stimulus right away which is why it is so disappointing that there will be a three month delay to actual work commencing under the Green Deal.”

He added: “It is now more important than ever that Government ensures the Green Deal is a success once it does eventually get going.”

Retailers such as B&Q and Tesco were also meant to be key to the Green Deal’s success. They appear to be waiting until next year before choosing to back the scheme by supplying and installing energy saving measures, which are paid for initially by a loan from Government.

The minister at the helm of the scheme, Climate Change Minister Greg Barker is currently on a trade mission to promote British renewable energy firms in East Africa.