Green Deal boost as cashback offer announced

The government has announced a Green Deal Cashback offer in order to drive take up for Green Deal measures from when Green Deal finance becomes available on 28th January 2013.

The offer is first-come, first-served and will enable householders to claim cashback from government on energy saving improvements like insulation, front doors, windows and boilers. Cashback will be capped at 50% of a householder's contribution, with the money paid by the company that undertakes the retrofitting. The more work a household gets done, the more energy they stand to save and the more cash they receive.

To get the cashback, householders must have a Green Deal assessment carried out on the property. They can get and agree quotes from a Green Deal Provider, or through using a local tradesperson linked with a Provider. They must then:

– Apply and receive a Cashback voucher
– Complete works within specified period 
– Redeem voucher, along with evidence of works completed, for Cashback

The offers are set to include:

Double/Triple Glazing (old single to A) – £20 per m2 up to a maximum of £320
Secondary glazing – £15 per m2 up to a maximum of £230
Solid Wall Insulation – £650
High performance replacement doors – £40

Cashback rates will be reviewed once £40m of the budgeted £125m fund is spent. If the average cashback is £350, this would happen after c.114,000 households have undergone works.

More information can be gathered here:
www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/tackling-climate-change/green-deal/6715-the-green-deal-cashback-for-energy-saving.pdf

Joinery manufacturers are reminded that even measures that only 'partially pay for themselves' in energy savings over their lifetime are included within the Green Deal. Customers may choose measures which do not pay for themselves, but they will need to contribute to the cost, or use other means of financing the installation.

This ‘partial financing’ means that there may be further opportunities for replacement windows, which can save energy and improve the appearance of the property, but in some cases will be unlikely to pay for themselves in their lifetime. In this case, the customer can still get money towards the installation cost up to value of the estimated savings. DECC have calculated that, under average assumptions, this could amount to £1000 towards the cost of replacing G rated windows to A rated in a 3-bed semi detached property.