Making Green Deal more accessible

With consumers in mind, DECC will introduce an online facility that will give them straightforward advice on how to green up their homes and where to find help to do it. The Green Deal Advice Report, which is presented to householders after an assessment, will also be simplified so it’s easier to understand.

Companies operating in the GD market will be helped by improved access to Energy Performance Certificate data so they can better identify properties that will benefit from energy efficiency improvements. The list of applicable measures will be expanded to allow more flexibility over the exact specification companies can install. Companies will also benefit from a reduction in the cost of insurance requirements attached to Green Deal measures.

DECC says it will also work with the Green Deal Finance Company to make sure customers can, if they choose, move from quote to a Green Deal Plan in a single day. This move should eliminate the need for different people to make separate visits to homes, which has proved to be unpopular with customers and companies alike. DECC is also seeking Parliament’s approval to change legislation to make it clearer that landlords and tenants can benefit from the Green Deal. Top-up loans will be made available to customers to work alongside Green Deal finance.

Some of these changes will happen in January. Others are planned in the first half of 2014.

DECC is also looking make sure the Green Deal works in tandem with the Energy Company Obilgation (ECO). There are circumstances where customers should be able to get a subsidy alongside a Green Deal loan and have the ability to make repayments through their energy bill.

The so-called Golden Rule, which ensures the cost of installing energy efficiency measures is not greater than the savings expected on energy bills, will also come under scrutiny, with a view to making sure it works for consumers.