Changes to the government’s Green Deal cash-back scheme have been announced, to help more households drive down fuel bills and reduce carbon emissions by carrying out energy efficiency improvements.
The scheme helps people to install energy efficiency measures by providing them with money back on the contributions they make towards improvements.
The changes include increases to the amount of money consumers get back on some Green Deal measures, such as double glazing, solid wall insulation and ‘room in roof’ insulation (eg, for those with loft conversions).
The Department for Energy and Climate Change is also extending the scheme. Applications for Green Deal Cash-back can now be submitted up to the end of June, with a further three months for households to install energy efficiency measures and redeem cash-back vouchers, giving them more time to take advantage of the scheme.
Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said: “Inefficient homes use a lot more energy than they need to, which consumers pay a high price for.
“The extension and increase to Green Deal cash-back means more families will be helped to have warmer, more energy efficient homes and lower energy bills by next winter. These changes also create more opportunities for the growing number of authorised green deal companies.”
DECC consulted informally on the changes to the cash-back scheme and as a result it has extended the time available to households to apply for money back on energy efficiency measures from 31 March 2014 to 30 June 2014, with energy improvements to be installed, and vouchers redeemed, by 30 September 2014.
It has also increased the cash-back available on some Green Deal measures:
- Up to £4,000 is now available for solid wall insulation, up from £650
- Up to £1,000 for anyone needing ‘room in roof’ insulation, increased from £220
- Up to £650 for households installing double glazing, from £320.
DECC has also raised the cap on cash-back payments from 50 per cent of a household’s contribution towards costs, to two thirds, meaning more people will be eligible for the maximum cash-back level.
