New Green Deal Scheme is launched.

[Jo_BLFHelpline]

Good Afternoon Everybody

I hope everyone is feeling well.

As i'm sure some of you are aware the Warmfront scheme has now ended (people who applied before 19th January will still be covered).

This is now being replaced by another scheme called Green Deal - this is available to anyone (no qualifying benefits needed).

In a nut shell this is how the scheme will work.

1, You find a local assesser from the website to asses your home to look at what work you may need.

2,You can then choose them or another company to carry out the work.

3, You pay nothing up front, but the cost is put onto your electricity bill and then is payed off gradually up to 25 years.

4, If you move home the 'loan' stays with the house and not with you.

People on benefits and low incomes may be able to access help with the costs - see link below:

gov.uk/green-deal-energy-sa...

Further information on the Green Deal can be accessed below:

gov.uk/green-deal-energy-sa...

gov.uk/green-deal-energy-sa...

As always call us if we can help.

Best Wishes

Jo

[Gordon57]

I've looked at this several times and spoke to someone at the Energy Saving Advice Service only a week or so ago. The main point is that this is NOT a grant but a scheme whereby you repay every penny, and more - "The cost will be shown on your Green Deal Plan (the contract between you and the provider), and will include the interest rate."

I posted a blog back in October with my findings and fears and it gained a few interesting comments. There is the point about the loan stays with the property, so if you try to sell you are forced to pass this on to the new owner as part of their electricity bill.

I'll not re-post it all, have a read here :- blf.healthunlocked.com/blog... - My main point is that I consider it to be cold calling and I have a policy of never using any company who telephone or write to me or push a leaflet through the door or are knocking door-to-door. They are not helping their image at all.

[libbygood]

Yes it is the loan staying with the property that worries us, we hope to down size in the next couple of years, so 23 years or so of the loan goes with it.

Lib

[Jo_BLFHelpline British Lung Foundation]

Hi

There certainly seems to be some difering opinions on this scheme on the internet - the link below is an interesting article from the Guardion Money section today:

guardian.co.uk/money/blog/2...

Jo

[timber]

,I think this is nothing more than government propaganda ,for most people energy bills present enough problems now ,I think very few people would want to make them even bigger.

Chris Hulme MP (the former energy minister )and David Cameron both pledged they would take on the the big five energy producers and stop the constant hikes in fuel costs whilst they are still making absolutely huge profits ,they have clearly failed to do this ,and this now is a scheme to cover up their failures.

[Gordon57 in reply to timber]

Sorry timber, but that does not really make sense. The Green Deal scheme is not operated by the energy companies and has no effect on the cost of the energy they provide. The only connection they have is that the cost of any work carried out under the scheme is recouped via the electricity bill over a number of years.

To me it's a loan scheme, allowing these installers to get paid for work they do but lumber the householder with an ongoing stone around their neck that appears to be quite hefty for what is being offered. If you wanted this sort of work carried out then you would find an installer and arrange your own finance, I'd be interested to see any comparison in cost between doing it the old way and this Green Deal option.

There is some element of government propaganda in that they are promoting this as a new option to replace the previous Warm Front scheme, which was a grant not a loan. I don't see where it's a cover up for previous hikes in price ?

[timber]

Hi Gordon ,just watch the future,next time energy companies increase the cost of fuel,and a government minister is interviewed ,they will come out with "we introduced the green deal to lower peoples energy prices"