Green Deal Assessments

What you need to know about the Green Deal The Green Deal was a Government scheme set up to provide household loans made available to finance the purchasing of home energy-efficient improvements, designed to be paid back through the savings made on the energy bills. The initiative came to an end in July 2015 and is no longer available.

A Green Deal Assessment by a fully accredited company to undertake domestic Green Deal Assessments was the first stop. If you entered into the Green Deal scheme, it was vital to have an assessment carried out by a fully certified company or organisation. Without this, you won’t be able to claim any loans or grants which you would otherwise qualify for.

We can provide you with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The EPC was used to calculate the amount of Green Deal Finance you were able to claim.

Beware of unscrupulous firms cold calling and offering Green Deal Assessments. You should always check the credentials of anyone offering such services.

Mere End Consultants is a fully certified MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) company and can provide you with alternative options now that the Green Deal is no longer available. Call us today to arrange a visit.

What is the Green Deal?

Explaining the Green Deal Scheme and How it Worked

The Green Deal scheme was part of the Coalition’s initiative to reduce carbon emissions and encourage people to make their homes more energy-efficient. Installing your own energy-saving technologies such solid wall insulation, requires an initial upfront investment. This can be expensive. So, the Green Deal was set up to help people finance the costs.

The scheme lets people borrow money for energy-saving measures such as:

New boilers
Cavity wall insulation
Solid wall insulation
Double glazing
Certain microgeneration systems such as solar PV

green deal assessor with customers The Green Deal was overseen by the Government appointed Green Deal Registration and Oversight Body. This body was responsible for registering all Green Deal approved advisors, installers and providers.

How did the Green Deal work?

Well, there were four main steps:

Stage 1 – Green Deal Assessment

First of all, an accredited Green Deal Assessor carries out an inspection on your property.
The Assessor uses standardised software to identify the energy efficiency of your property. It also calculates the kinds of results you can expect from microgeneration technologies, or energy saving upgrades.
You will get a Green Deal Advice Report and an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), which will outline the best options for you. This will also estimate the financial savings you could make and how your repayments are likely to work.
The Assessor must also declare whether they have any links to Green Deal Providers.

Stage 2 – Finance

After your assessment, you can approach Green Deal Providers. They provide the loans to fund Green Deal Installations. Once the provider has made you an offer, you can decide whether it is right for you. If it is, you can go ahead and sign a Green Deal Plan. This plan is the contract between you and your Green Deal Provider.

Stage 3 – Installation

You are now ready to have your microgeneration system or upgrade installed. It is essential that the work is carried out by an accredited Green Deal Installer.

Stage 4 – Repayments

Your repayments will be collected in installments through your electricity bill, before being passed on to your Green Deal Provider. The repayments are designed so that you won’t be left out of pocket. The rates are calculated to reflect the amount you would save on your heating bills, thanks to your energy-saving improvements. Nevertheless, you could still see immediate savings!

It is important to remember that this is not a conventional personal loan. This loan is attached to your property’s electricity meter and collected through your electricity bill. If you move house, the new owner will take over the repayments, but they will also gain a more energy efficient home.

Although interest is charged on Green Deal repayments, it is at a fixed rate. You will be able to see the full repayment schedule before you commit. Interest rates could vary between Green Deal Providers, so this is something to be aware of. It’s also a good idea to find out whether you can opt for an early pay off, and if the provider charges for this service.

If you want to reduce your carbon footprint and future-proof your home against rising energy bills, call Mere End Consultants today.