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The Return of the Green Deal: Claim up to £7600 on home improvements

7 May 2014
By Lucy Sweet

From next June, if you’ve bought a house in the previous 12 months which is a draughty, whistling Tundra that’s a nightmare to heat, then you’re in luck.
double glazing

The government are revamping the Green Deal, and new homeowners can get 75% towards the cost of energy efficient improvements like insulation, solid wall insulation, and double glazing.

Unlike the last Green Deal, which just took money off your energy bills, after an assessment you receive a voucher from the government to give to the installers.

And with savings of around £100 off an annual bill, it’s not bad, really. Especially if you've got your eye on a new Everest conservatory.

The government will issue a list of approved energy saving measures, and if you tick off two of them, they’ll give you up to £1000. Or if you decide on solid wall insulation, which is pricey, they’ll give you up to £6000. You can also qualify for an extra £500 if you carry out other improvements that’ll boost your home’s energy efficiency.

While it’s probably too late to do anything about climate change, this token effort will hit a few EU targets and make our homes a little bit cosier, which is nice.

So, er, thanks for helping us to save energy and reduce our bills. Now if you really want to help, can you have a word with the energy companies and tell them to stop charging us an effing fortune? Thanks.

TOPICS:   Utilities   Consumer Advice   Government   Home

9 comments

  • Read P.
    As always, there's a catch- actually several of them... The 2 energy improvements you choose from the Green Deal list MUST also be listed on your property's Energy Performance Certificate, dated within the last 2 years. Also, the 2 improvements must not have been done within the last 10 years. After applying for the voucher, you then have to choose Green Deal installers to do the work (which is inevitably more expensive). You then have to pay for all the work yourself (which many cannot afford to do). Finally, you submit all relevant invoices and paperwork in the hope that you'll be refunded £1000 (after paying over £1000 more than you should for the work). Unlike the old Green Deal, only major (and costly) energy improvements are listed, most of which cost several thousand pounds- so you'll still be paying through the nose. However, this might help some who have the money to fork out to begin with, can afford to pay for the majority of the work at increased prices, and can jump through all the hoops.
    Reply ·
  • Read P.
    Here's the link to most of the above information... https://www.gov.uk/government/news/7600-to-make-your-home-more-energy-efficient
    Reply ·
  • Mr M.
    Are all companies eligible to claim these vouchers, or is it only the select few that are deemed competent (have handed over enough money to 'prove' it).
    Reply ·
  • Read P.
    @Lucy This Green Deal applies from 1st June this year, not next year as the first sentence of your article says.
    Reply ·
  • Jim S.
    I got my 7600. The best way to utilize the money for the most efficient improvements is http://www.amazon.com/Green-Home-Budget-Design-Estimate-ebook/dp/B00IMFL4GO/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1399472899&sr=1-2&keywords=green+home
    Reply ·
  • DragonChris
    Only available in England, Scotland and Wales. Surprise surprise.
    Reply ·
  • MorganT
    You have got it wrong in your article. The original Green Deal finance options - a pay as you save loan with repayments added to the electricity bill - remains in place and available to everyone who has a Green Deal assessment. The GD Home Improvement Fund will replace the current GD Cashback after the end of June. Its an extra grant to help drive uptake and reward those doing energy efficiency work on their homes. You don't have to take out a GD Plan (loan) to qualify for the GD Cashback or GD HIF, just get the assessment. Jim Shipley didn't get his 7600 as the scheme doesn't start until the end of June. And its not too late to do something about climate change, vital to do all we can now to avoid complete disaster for our grandchildren.
    Reply ·
  • MajorMorgan
    MorganT, for those of us not in the Holy Church of Climate Scientology, remind us of the period when the earth's climate wasn't changing ? Just the rough dates will do.
    Reply ·
  • Ian
    @morgan. - I take it you aren't green deal approved? It's not perfect but nothing is! However go to the small guys who offer no guarantees and are not regulated and you risk losing all your money or have a shoddy job. Have you ever seen cowboy builders?
    Reply ·

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