Green Deal home improvement fund details announced
More people will get help to improve the energy efficiency of their homes through a new release of the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund (GDHIF).
More people will get help to improve the energy efficiency of their homes through a new release of the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund (GDHIF).
From 9am, Wednesday 10 December, the popular scheme will open to new applications, with up to £5,600 available to households in England and Wales to help with the cost of installing energy saving measures such as solid wall insulation, double glazing, boilers, cavity wall and floor insulation.
Up to £30 million in vouchers will be available and details of further releases will be announced on a quarterly basis with the next release expected in February 2015. This is part of the additional £100 million for household energy efficiency measures announced in October 2014 which is in addition to the £450 million already allocated to household energy efficiency over 2014 – 17.
The £30 million will be split into two categories:
- Up to £24 million for solid wall insulation;
- Up to £6 million for two measures from a list of home improvements available under the scheme.
Once the funding under each category has been committed, no more applications will be taken for that category – though applications will still be taken for the other category if funds are still available.
The Green Deal Home Improvement Fund launched in June and has already provided vouchers for more than 20,000 households. Through this second release of funding, domestic energy customers can now receive:
- up to £4000 for installing solid wall insulation;
- up to £1000 for installing two measures from an approved list;
- up to £100 refunded for their Green Deal Assessment;
- up to £500 more if applying within 12 months of buying a new home.
Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey said:
“This fund is a big success story for the Green Deal – helping thousands of people improve their homes so that they’re warmer, greener and cheaper to run.
“The best way people can cut their energy bills, this winter and every winter, is to improve their homes so that they leak less heat and use less energy. That’s why we’ve increased the funding available for the Green Deal to help even more people start saving money sooner.”
To complete the two-stage application process, householders will need:
- A Green Deal Advice Report (GDAR) or Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) that is less than two years old
- A quote from a GDHIF registered installer or provider for work specified on the GDAR or EPC and included on the list of GDHIF approved measures
- Proof of property ownership (for landlords/undertakings only)
Householders are encouraged to get more than one quote, particularly when they are having expensive work done, to make sure they are getting the best deal available.
Energy and Climate Change Minister Amber Rudd said:
“We’ve already taken £50 off energy bills this year, and have forced energy companies to make things simpler and easier for bill payers, but we know that the best way for households to cut their bills is to use less energy.
“More than three quarters of a million homes have already had energy saving improvements installed as a result of the Energy Company Obligation and Green Deal. It makes sense to go even further to help more families install measures so that they see the benefits of lower bills and a warmer home for years to come.”
The £100 million announced in October is in addition to the £450 million allocated to household energy efficiency over three years, which was announced in December 2013.
In providing a fund to householders the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund will create job opportunities for the energy efficiency sector as a whole. More than 1100 Green Deal authorised businesses are currently registered to provide work under the scheme.
Funds are limited and DECC may vary the terms of the scheme (including the incentive rates) or suspend or close the scheme, with immediate effect, without notice and at any time.
More information about how to apply to the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund.
Notes to Editors:
1.The next release of the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund (GDHIF) will be available to householders in England and Wales from 9am, 10 December 2014. Households in England and Wales can get advice on how to reduce their bills and make their homes more energy efficient from the Energy Saving Advice Service (ESAS) on 0300 123 1234 (calls charged at national rates). Scottish households seeking home energy efficiency advice should contact Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282.
2.The £100 million for household energy efficiency announced on 7 October 2014, is in addition to the £450 million allocated to household energy efficiency over three years, which was announced in December 2013. All parts of the UK will benefit from the funding.
3.Householders will be able to receive GDHIF funding for solid wall insulation and/or any two of the following energy savings improvements:
- Cavity wall insulation
- Condensing mains gas boiler
- Secondary glazing
- Double/triple glazing (replacement single glazing)
- Flat roof insulation
- Replacement warm air unit
- Fan-assisted storage heaters
- Energy efficient replacement doors
- Floor insulation
- Room-in-roof insulation
- Waste water heat recovery
4.For solid wall insulation 67% of the costs of installation up to a maximum of £4,000 can be claimed back by the customer. For the ‘two measures’ option 100% of the costs of installation to a maximum of £1,000 may be claimed back. Customers who have purchased the property to be improved within the last 12 months may be eligible for an additional £500 home buyers bonus. A rebate towards the cost of a Green Deal Advice Report is subject to a successful voucher application, the installation of the eligible measures through the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund and compliance with the scheme terms and conditions.
5.To be eligible to apply and complete the two stage application process, householders will need to:
- Have a valid Green Deal Advice Report or EPC which must have been carried out in the two years prior to application;
- Apply for GDHIF eligible measure(s) recommended on their assessment report or EPC;
- Apply for a voucher by filling in an application form and providing a quote for the improvements from a registered GDHIF installer or provider. Landlords (or other undertakings) will also need to provide proof that they own the property/ies to be improved.
6.Voucher payment claims will be accepted from 12th January 2015, with payments for successful claims likely to take up to 20 working days. To submit a voucher claim for payment, householders will need to:
- Have the improvements installed by a Green Deal Installer or Provider registered with the scheme;
- Redeem your voucher before it expires via the claims process set out on the terms and conditions. The voucher must be completed and countersigned by the Green Deal Installer or Provider – with copies of the invoice(s) and, if appropriate, the Green Deal Assessment Report invoice
- Have met the scheme’s terms and conditions
7.Of the £30m for applications for this funding release, up to £24m is available for solid wall insulation applications and up to £6m for two measures applications. Money back for the Green Deal Assessment Report and the Home Buyers Bonus, where relevant, will come from the main offer applied for except when the customer applies for both main offers in which case funding comes from solid wall insulation funding. When the available money has been committed in completed applications for either solid wall insulation or the two measures offer, the scheme will automatically shut to applications for those measures. DECC may vary the terms of the scheme (including the incentive rates), or suspend or close the scheme with immediate effect and without notice and at any time.
8.Weekly statistics will be published to provide initial information on GDHIF release two to assist businesses and households. This will be reviewed in January. Figures will not be published during w/c December 22nd.
9.Households cannot apply for GDHIF if they are already getting money back for the same improvements through other schemes eg the Energy Company Obligation, Green Deal Communities, Green Deal Cashback or the first release of GDHIF.
10.Landlords and tenants can apply for the scheme provided they are paying for the improvements themselves. Landlords/undertakings are subject to de minimis thresholds for State Aid: they can’t receive more than €200,000 in total (approximately £160,000) of government funding in three fiscal years.
11.Green Deal authorised installers and providers only may register to deliver the scheme. This is to maintain the Green Deal’s high standards of consumer protection. Companies wishing to register should contact the Green Deal Oversight Registration Body. Information about authorised Green Deal providers and installers can be found on the Green Deal Oversight Body website
12.DECC may vary the terms of the scheme (including the incentive rates) or suspend or close the scheme, with immediate effect, without notice and at any time. A rebate towards the cost of a Green Deal Advice Report is subject to a successful voucher application, the installation of the eligible measures through the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund and compliance with the scheme terms and conditions.