Great 'Your Green Deal Tips - was it worth it?' Hunt

rogerblack

tadu wrote: »

My mother had something similar in Scotland - an age-related scheme as she is over 80. They told her they would replace her boiler and radiators in 1 out of three bedrooms. When they left she found that they had removed the old radiators in bedrooms 2 and 3 - without her agreement -

The grant typically allowed for connection of up to a certain number of radiators.
They could not have connected up the old radiators, as that raises issues with the guarantee.

mac2008

So that's two pages containing not one iota of positive news about the Green Deal.

Hopefully this omnishambles will get some serious press coverage soon.

tom1308

This bullsh#t scheme has cost me my job. It's an utter pile of crap wrapped in in so much red tape its untrue.

Brummie_Deb

I've had my quote within 2 weeks of my assessment. I'm retired due to ill health but the benefits I'm on do not entitle me to any 'free' help. My son who is a plumber has told me the quote for the boiler, thermostat and controls is far more expensive than he would have to pay for them. I therefore think so called free fitting is hidden in the price.
I don't believe this to be a good scheme for various reasons. They estimate how much one would save each month and this is the amount to be repaid on the electric bill BUT what if these improvements don't work? We have extremely bad winters again and have to use more fuel? If the boiler breaks down before it has been paid for and a new one has to be purchased how will that be of benefit? They will answer that a maintenance contract can be taken out... more money. If I sell the house will the new owner still want to be tied into my power company and carry on paying this bill?
In theory it all sounds good but if you stop and look at the long term prognosis then I don't think it's a good deal at all.

fluffymuffy

Has anyone at all had a positive experience of the green deal?

Anyone?

EricMears

fluffymuffy wrote: »

Has anyone at all had a positive experience of the green deal?

Anyone?

Suspect you'll find a deafening silence !

Pebojuno

sardy wrote: »

I applied for the greendeal and assessment back in February. Had the assessment mid April with a british gas assessor. Was told by british gas that once i had the assessment would be able to get the boiler immediately as I had explained i urgently needed a new boiler. Since then heard nothing back. Have phoned many times and each time told money not come through from government yet. Tried other installers that were meant to already have the funding. One said that they didnt accept the british gas assessment and would have to pay for their one!! Still got nowhere with others. It seems the companies are very happy to take your money for assessments and tell you can get boiler straight away but then are not interested. Extremely angry have wasted my money on this!!

We have had exactly the same problems. I was told to look into other providers as British gas do not provide the improvements that have been recommended to us. on phoning some other providers I was told that they couldn't use the assessment by British gas and I'd need to pay for another assessment - no thanks!
Other providers have said said there is no funding in place yet. I'm stuck wondering why the systems were not in place BEFORE launching the scheme. Also doesn't the cash back for some items end this autumn? If things keep moving at this rate no one will even have a chance of any!

CFC

It's clearly a con.
Pay up front for an 'assessment' to see if you qualify for it.
Get tied in to companies who will whack up the price because you can't use your local or normal boilerman....
another get rich quick scheme for BG and co!

rogerblack

CFC wrote: »

It's clearly a con.
Pay up front for an 'assessment' to see if you qualify for it.
Get tied in to companies who will whack up the price because you can't use your local or normal boilerman....
another get rich quick scheme for BG and co!

I would hesitate to quite put it like that.
Is the scheme bad value for anyone looking to do specific work, who could borrow money at under 7% (or indeed has the cash), and who intends to live in the property for over several years, and is ineligible for grant funding - yes.

Because you can get the boiler/loft insulation/... cheaper on the open market, and not be tied into a green deal loan, or pay anything for assessment.

However, there are plusses in principle.
Many people, for example purchase double glazing, on the assumption that it will make large inroads into their bills. This is one investment which will essentially never pay back for most people, and hence it should be advised against by the green deal assessor.

An independent assessment of what energy improvements can be made to pay back in your property from a skilled person can be valuable.
(Of course, this raises the issue of accuracy).

If you can't raise money at 7%, and/or are likely to move before several years is up, it may be a better option.

Similarly - there is grant funding available to some, in some circumstances.

mr_choc

sardy wrote: »

I applied for the greendeal and assessment back in February. Had the assessment mid April with a british gas assessor. Was told by british gas that once i had the assessment would be able to get the boiler immediately as I had explained i urgently needed a new boiler. Since then heard nothing back. Have phoned many times and each time told money not come through from government yet. Tried other installers that were meant to already have the funding. One said that they didnt accept the british gas assessment and would have to pay for their one!! Still got nowhere with others. It seems the companies are very happy to take your money for assessments and tell you can get boiler straight away but then are not interested. Extremely angry have wasted my money on this!!

It would seem that I am not the only one having trouble. I have had my assessment carried out by British Gas which took months after the guy called. Then to find a provider, I am still looking having similar excuses as the above quote.
However I have since found out that the providers are in breach of their green deal agreements with many of these excuses, such as not recognizing third party assessments. The Energy saving Advice Service (Tel: 03001231234) is the body overseeing this deal would like to know of any breach of this agreement.