Press Room
Green Deal To Make British Homes Cheaper And More Energy Efficient
When it comes to moving into a new home, there are often many things buyers plan to change – the wallpaper, the bathroom suite, or the colour of the kitchen tiles.
But a new scheme from the government will help homeowners transform their properties in a way that will deliver savings and reduce carbon emissions across the UK.
The Green Deal aims to transform British housing stock, making homes warmer, more energy efficient and, most importantly for households, cheaper to run.
Under the scheme, people can apply for funding to carry out green home improvement measures, repaying the loan via savings made on monthly utility bills.
As well as reducing energy bills, the initiative will help the UK work towards carbon reduction targets. A quarter of the UK's carbon emissions come from the energy used to heat homes across the country.
Improvements such as cavity wall insulation, loft insulation and double glazing may be provided by the Green Deal, provided the potential savings are enough to repay the cost of the work.
From autumn 2012, people will have access to up to £10,000 upfront funding to pay for energy efficiency works.
Homeowners have been placed at the heart of the scheme, with ministers determined to ensure consumers receive a fair deal from both energy suppliers and Green Deal installers.
Climate change minister Greg Barker recently outlined plans for a Green Deal Code to protect households at every stage of the process, from the initial works to long-term savings and loan repayment. He commented: "The Green Deal will be the biggest home improvement programme since the Second World War shifting our outdated draughty homes from the past into the future, so it's vital people can trust it."
Consumer Focus claims the scheme is "more important than ever" to help homeowners improve their homes due to rising energy costs and the need to cut carbon emissions.
The organisation has welcomed the introduction of trials to prove just how beneficial the scheme can be.
The initiative can also benefit buy-to-let investors – rental homes with poor energy ratings can be made more efficient and cheaper to run, increasing demand from both environmentally conscious tenants and those looking to reduce their monthly outgoings.
For house hunters, the Green Deal holds the potential to transform older properties into energy efficient, environmentally friendly dwellings, without having to shell out for works themselves.
Buyers who may have been concerned about the cost of updating a property will soon have access to much-needed financial support – making properties for sale across the UK more appealing.
Start searching for your new home on email4property today.
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Article date: 7/12/2011 12:00:00 AM