The Green Deal Cashback Scheme is a first-come, first-served offer where householders can claim cashback from Government on energy saving improvements like insulation, front doors, windows and boilers. Packages could be worth over £1000 - the more you do, the more you get. It is available from 28 January 2013 for households in England and Wales.
The Cashback will only be available to householders who get a Green Deal assessment, have work arranged through a Green Deal Provider (this could be directly with a national brand or through a local tradesperson linked with a Provider) and make a contribution to costs.
The Government Cashback is a limited offer while funds last. Green Deal Participants can encourage their customers to get Green Deal assessments early so, when the scheme opens, customers are ready to apply and get approval, for their Cashback voucher before improvement work begins. A new quick guide on the Cashback scheme is available.[filetype:pdf filesize: 838.38Kb]
Government has guaranteed that £40m will be available at the rates listed in this guide. After this, Cashback amounts may reduce.
Full details of the Green Deal Cashback scheme (including how to apply) will be available later. If you would like to be notified when this becomes available, please call the Energy Savings Advice Service on 0300 123 1234.
CASHBACK ELIGIBILITY
The Cashback is open to any householder making energy saving improvements under the Green Deal, after 28th January 2013. This includes owner-occupiers, those renting privately or in social housing. Landlords, both private and social, are also eligible where they pay installation costs, up to certain limits. In all cases, Cashback will be capped at 50% of the householder’s contribution to costs.
To qualify for the Cashback householders must:
- have a Green Deal assessment carried out on the property
- get and agree quotes from a Green Deal Provider (this could be directly with a national brand or through a local tradesperson linked with a Provider)
- apply for Cashback voucher online or by phone. To make things easier some Providers will be able to apply on behalf of their customers
- receive voucher confirming the Cashback
- complete works within specified period
- redeem voucher, along with evidence of works completed, for Cashback.
Work must be done within a specified period - 6 months for Solid Wall Insulation, 3 months for other improvements and in all cases before 31 March 2014 to claim the Cashback.
Householders can fund improvements through a Green Deal Plan, or however they wish, and get the Cashback but they must use a Green Deal Provider to arrange the work. The more improvements a householder makes, the bigger the Cashback.
Householders can only make one claim for the Cashback, but it may cover a package of improvements recommended by the Green Deal assessment. The Government Cashback is separate and additional to any similar offers that may be made by Green Deal Providers.
Householders can also choose to donate some or all of their Cashback to a charity or community interest company of their choice signed up with the scheme administrator.
GREEN DEAL CASHBACK SCHEME: ELIGIBLE MEASURES AND CASH BACK AMOUNTS
These rates are guaranteed for the first £40m after which the rates are likely to reduce. Act early to get the best rates. Up to £125m has been earmarked for the scheme as a whole.
Loft insulation (including top up) and insulating cavity walls (where appropriate) are important, basic energy saving measures. So where a Green Deal assessment recommends these alongside other improvements, householders will only be able to get the Cashback if they do those too.
ENERGY SAVING MEASURE | CASHBACK LEVEL |
| Loft insulation (incl.top up) | £100 |
| Cavity Wall Insulation | £250 |
| Solid Wall Insulation* | £650 |
| Flat roof insulation | £390 |
| Room in roof insulation | £220 |
| Floor insulation | £150 |
| Hot water cylinder insulation (top up)** | £10 |
| Draught proofing | £50 |
| Heating controls (roomstat and/or programmer & time/temperature zone controls)** | £70 |
| Condensing oil boiler from non-condensing oil heating or other *** | £310 |
| Upgrade boiler to condensing gas boiler from non-condensing boiler or other. | £270 |
| Flue Gas heat recovery (condensing combi boiler) only alongside replacement boiler | £90 |
| New or replacement storage heaters | £150 |
| Replacement warm-air unit | £60 |
| Waste water heat recovery systems | £60 |
| Double/Triple Glazing (old single to A) | £20 per m2 up to a maximum of £320 |
| Secondary glazing | £15 per m2 up to a maximum of £230 |
| High performance replacement doors | £40 |
FURTHER CONDITIONS OF CASH BACK
* A minimum of 50% of external walls must be insulated to qualify for a Cashback.
** Cannot be claimed at same time as boiler replacement (as this is a regulatory requirement).
***householders should consider their renewable heat options, as they could get a higher payment under RHPP now, for certain measures.
FAQS
When will people be able to apply to the scheme?
The scheme will open for applications at the end of January 2013 at the same time as the Green Deal becomes available.
Can I have measures installed now then claim for the Cashback subsequently?
No, the Cashback is only available for installations that take place after the scheme launches – but you can have your assessment done and get quotes for work before then.
Why are you capping Cashback amounts at a percentage of the applicant’s costs?
Some households will benefit from energy efficiency measures being installed for free, or at a significantly subsidised cost – primarily as a result of subsidy from the Energy Company Obligation. We want to avoid over-rewarding people who are already benefiting in this way.
What does this have to do with the £150 that Green Deal providers can offer customers?
The Cashback scheme will be separate and in addition to any other ‘incentives’ offered by providers. For example, the Energy Bill allows for up to £150 to be ‘forwarded’ to the customer as an incentive and then repaid as part of the Green Deal plan. Providers may choose to offer this, or incentives funded by other means, in addition to the Government Cashback. Providers will be required to make any such distinctions clear to customers.
I’m getting my energy-saving improvements for free – can I qualify for Cashback?
No.
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