Green Deal MSE Guide Discussion

blair1

Looks like Cashback closed on March 31, 2013 which just happens to be the same day I started to look into solar heating... bummer.

CaronR

We knew about the cash back deal but you can't apply until you have the green deal contract in place. I wonder whether any one has actually benefited from the cash back deal, would love to know!

west_wales_idiot

Having read most of the posts they are just views and not facts so please can anybody answer the following honestly

1) Have you had a green deal assessment Y/N

2) what was the outcome recommendations

3) what is the time scale for installation ?

4) how much was added to to the cost of your electricity ?

5) is the scheme worth it, would you now recommend it ?


thanks in anticipation

[Deleted User]

The green deal is simple...

What you used to get for free or at a heavily subsidised price or even a grant for you now have to pay for yourself with possiblity of a loan to sweeten the pill.

Welcome to austerity, govt money has run out...

lstar337

west_wales_idiot wrote: »

1) Have you had a green deal assessment Y/N

Yes

west_wales_idiot wrote: »

2) what was the outcome recommendations

I posted the entire assessment + the EPC in this thread. Can't do any more than that.

west_wales_idiot wrote: »

3) what is the time scale for installation ?

4) how much was added to to the cost of your electricity ?

5) is the scheme worth it, would you now recommend it ?

Haven't got that far yet.

croninsfc

Ecodave wrote: »

The costs of training and registration are large, but the scheme is expected to last 10+ years, so I don't think that businesses are going to be in a huge rush to get that investment back immediately, but of course, you should get at least 3 quotes to ensure you are being asked to pay the right sum. And whilst your at it, why not get your local builder to quote as well, can't harm.

If you get three quotes do you have to pay for three assessments?

Ecodave

No, the report you are issued with (GDAR) can be sent to as many Green Deal Providers as you like. It doesn't cost anything extra to get multiple quotes.

spacemanc

I'm looking to train as an advisor *ducks* and from my research there's a lot of misinformation in this thread coming from a few posters.

There's no denying that big business controls the funding arrangements (iirc you need a £2 million float to be considered), but this part of the chain is dealing with massive amounts of money and basically fixing loans to homes - you don't want just anyone doing that. The 7% interest is just a guide and competition may bring that down over time - some people here think this is an outrageous rate for an unsecured debt which is given irrelevant of credit status, but in fact it's actually very reasonable (though if you have money in the bank then obviously it's better to pay upfront)

Once you get your report, it's up to you if you go ahead with any work, and you have more choice of who does the work than many posters seem to think. If British Gas does the report, then yeah they'll put it through their own system and is it really news to anyone that they're overpriced? You can take that report and contact a local tradesman, and if they're a registered installer (really not hard for them to do) then companies like Plumbase have set up their own schemes to allow small traders to use the funding mechanism.

Most measures will not pass the golden rule, so people expecting to refurb their house for free are going to be disappointed, but some of the basics like cavity wall and loft insulation, upgrades to very old boilers etc, will tend to pass the rule and will be an all round win. The householder gets reduced bills with no upfront cost irrelevant of their credit status, the the home is made more efficient, much needed employment is provided and it costs the government very little.

There's aspects of the scheme which are less than ideal, and I would say the biggest flaw is independence of the advisors and their potential to tweak figures, but lets see how it goes.

lorrimag32

Like previous posts, I have had an assessment done recently, mainly for windows which are over 20 years old and are done. My report was ludicrous, the windows were never mentioned, the main aspects of his report would not be covered by the green deal, including floor insulation, solar panels, low energy light bulbs (which I have in a number of lights & lamps) but his report says my house has none! Changing a combi boiler that is not even 9 years old and is serviced every year to a condensor boiler and installing solar water heating. What I wonder is, has anyone actually had their windows replaced through the scheme. Scottish Energy Advice line were no help what so ever sadly.

Johnandabby

lorrimag32 wrote: »

Like previous posts, I have had an assessment done recently, mainly for windows which are over 20 years old and are done. My report was ludicrous, the windows were never mentioned, the main aspects of his report would not be covered by the green deal, including floor insulation, solar panels, low energy light bulbs (which I have in a number of lights & lamps) but his report says my house has none! Changing a combi boiler that is not even 9 years old and is serviced every year to a condensor boiler and installing solar water heating. What I wonder is, has anyone actually had their windows replaced through the scheme. Scottish Energy Advice line were no help what so ever sadly.

But new windows don't significantly reduce energy bills - it's a massive con by the double glazing companies to convince people that they do. Wall and loft insulation does, which is why most GDAs will only recommend these and won't include windows.