Edward Davey, Energy and Climate Change Secretary, announced the opening of the Green Deal Cashback Scheme yesterday (14 January). Under the initiative, householders in England and Wales who book a Green Deal property assessment and are ready to have energy-saving improvements made to their residences from 28 January could receive over £1,000.
The more energy-saving improvements householders decide to have installed, such as loft insulation, solid wall insulation and new heating systems, the more cash they could receive from the scheme.
The launch of the fund comes after the Green Deal was labelled a ‘shambles’ in November 2012 following Minister for Energy and Climate Change Greg Barker’s announcement that zero UK householders had applied for a Green Deal loan.
Hundreds of thousands of people could potentially apply to the Cashback Scheme, which has a total of £125 million available. Private or social landlords paying the costs of improvements themselves can also apply. The current rates are fixed for the first £40 million, and will be awarded on a first-come first-served basis.
Edward Davey commented: “The Green Deal will be a great offer for people to insulate their homes from the cold, and their wallets from rising energy prices. With cashback too, energy saving has never been so attractive.
“Our Cashback Scheme is a generous offer but it’s first-come, first-served so householders need to be quick off the mark. Get an assessment, be ready to have home improvements done with a Green Deal when it launches on 28 January and then get your cashback.
“This also sends a clear message to the industry that the Green Deal is coming. Green Deal Providers and businesses in the supply chain need to start gearing up to take full advantage of what promises to be an exciting new market.”
Neil Schofield, Head of External and Governmental Affairs at the domestic heating and hot water systems company Worcester Bosch, said: “This is a clear signal that the Green Deal is building momentum and I’m delighted there is such a strong incentives scheme in place to encourage early take up. We’re excited about how this could open up the energy-efficiency market.”
To qualify for the Cashback Scheme householders need to:
- Have a Green Deal assessment carried out on their property;
- Obtain and agree quotes from a Green Deal Provider (either directly with a national brand or through a local tradesperson linked with a provider);
- Apply for a cashback voucher online or over the phone;
- Complete the works within the specified period.
The government describes the Green Deal as an ‘initiative to transform the UK market for energy efficiency’. It aims to encourage homes and businesses to make energy-efficiency improvements, with the costs repaid through the expected energy bill savings.
Read more about the Green Deal.
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
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