Green Deal Home Improvement Fund reopens

Up to £30 million in vouchers are to be released for homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their homes after the government reopened the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund.
From 9am, Wednesday 10 December, the 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.

The fund originally launched in June of this year, but closed in July due to overwhelming popular demand.

Details of further releases will be announced on a quarterly basis with the next release expected in February 2015. It 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, with up to £24 million available for solid wall insulation and up to £6 million for two measures from a list of home improvements available under the scheme.

Through the second release of funding, 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);