The revamped Green Deal cashback scheme is good news for installers as well as homeowners, according to leading certification body NICEIC.
In May this year DECC (Department for Energy and Climate Change) announced new incentives for householders in England and Wales, with up to £7,600 cashback available for those installing energy efficiency upgrades to their homes.
The changes instantly boosted uptake in Green Deal with DECC claiming more than £2.6 million was issued via cashback in the first week alone.
“Whilst the benefits to homeowners has been well documented the new scheme is also good news for Green Deal installers,” commented Dani Putney, sector specialist at NICEIC.
“Installers can now directly access the cash back fund on behalf of their customers without the need to go through a Green Deal provider.
“This has simplified the whole process and means installers can pick up work from householders without the need to have a sub-contract in place with a provider.”
To benefit from the new scheme authorised Green Deal installers simply need to register for the GDHIF (Green Deal Home Improvement Fund) by signing up and returning the scheme terms and conditions to the scheme administrator (DECC).
Once they have signed up they will be able to offer the enhanced incentives to householders. The new incentives offered to households is broken down into: £1,000 for installing two measures from an approved list of renovations, £100 is available as a refund for the initial assessment and £6,000 is on offer for installing solid wall insulation. Those who’ve bought their property within 12 months are also eligible for a further £500.
DECC reports that over 1700 applications have been received for the GDHI so far.
“The revamped scheme is the boost the Green Deal market needed,” added Dani. “It means authorised installers can grow their customer base, offer customers what they want and install more energy efficiency measures so that customers can benefit from reduced energy bills.
“Previously, signing up for a Green Deal was very complicated. GDHIF has simplified the process and the early signs suggest it is working. The long-term plan must be to make signing up for a Green Deal as easy as ordering any type of renovation work on your own home.”
NICEIC was recently named certification body of the year at the Green Deal & Eco Awards. It currently maintains a register of more than 1000 authorised Green Deal installers.
