Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation...

Carrie1983

Hi,

I am a home-owner, recently single (husband left me with 2 year old daughter last year), in a house that does need some work. Much of the work is to make it more heat efficient (replace failed glazing units etc).

I have been reading about something called Green Deal (which I found out by reading my next door neighbour's energy report on their house which is for sale... and empty!). This led me to reading about the new ECO to fund or part fund energy efficiency measures such as insulation.

My house is solid wall construction as it was built in 1900ish. Therefore, next door's report (and mine if I look at it I'm sure - bought house 12 months ago), recommends either interior or exterior insulation (exterior would probably work best here due to internal layout and space restricitons etC), floor insulation as the floors are suspended timber, upgrading boiler to a condensing boiler (it's oil), possibly adding solar panels.

There is no way I could afford external wall insulation but I cannot see any assessor coming here and saying it is unnecessary - the house is in a semi-rural area so open to the elements, and the walls (inside) are stone cold, so clearly any amount of insulation will help.

My question is, has anyone applied for an assessment, and what was the outcome? As Green Deal is unlikely to cover the cost of the insulation, I'd need to also apply for ECO funding to fund the rest (which is non-repayable) - this may actually be funded in full by the ECO funding.

I am a low income household now, since husband left, and although I don't get most benefits, I do get WTC (mainly as daughter is in childcare). I need to phone the hotline, but am wondering what the catch is? I know planning permission is likely... my house is red brick - the end of 4 terraced workers' cottages - and so render will look odd next to the other 3 red bricks!

Cardew

Hi,

You should read this thread.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4430785

At the moment the whole 'Green Deal' scheme seems something of a disaster.

Johnandabby

Best thing is to talk to the Energy Saving Trust about the options.

Green Deal wouldn't cover failed glazing units, and wouldn't cover solar panels. Really difficult situation for you, but talk to the Energy Saving Trust about any grant or funding options.

Ecodave

Hi Carrie,

I would encourage you to contact the Green Deal Advice Service (0300 1231234) to get accurate advice on what you may qualify to receive under ECO. In order to qualify for certain elements of ECO you need to be considered to be a member of the "affordable warmth group". To achieve this status you must have a relevant income of £15860 or less, along with being in receipt of (in your case) Working Tax Credit and having parental responsibility for a child under 16.

In your post you make reference to possibly needing to apply for ECO funding as the GD may not be able to cover the cost of the insulation. Just so you know, if you get that far in the process, the funding application should be taken care of by the Green Deal Provider, who will provide you with a quote for work which should include the element of grant support that you are entitled to.

There isn't really a catch to the ECO funding. There are negatives associated with Green Deal though, starting with having to pay to be assessed, perhaps £100. Further concerns are related to how your house will be perceived by potential buyers at some point in the future when the house carries a debt to cover the Green Deal funded parts of any installation. The rate of interest that is charged for Green Deal plans starts at nearly 7% which most observers consider to be too high. There are concerns related to the likelihood of improvement measures to be able to deliver high enough savings to leave householders better off.

Just reading your post again, you say that your house is in a semi-rural area and open to the elements. If the house is very exposed, it may need more expert consideration than can be offered by a Green Deal Advisor, especially if the brickwork/mortar has signs of rain water penetration.

Good luck with whatever you decide.