Green Deal Instead Of Scrappage Scheme

The petition for a windows scrappage scheme has come to an end, with the Government posting this response:

The Government agrees that energy efficiency has an important part to play if we are to achieve our carbon reduction targets. The benefits of energy efficiency for households are clear: saving money on energy bills, reducing reliance on imported energy and helping householders reduce their carbon emissions.

However given the high cost of replacement windows (typically £5,000 to £10,000 for a small home), the marginal improvement in performance, particularly when replacing like-for-like double glazed windows; and given that band C windows will be the minimum standard permitted by building regulations from October 2010, a window scrappage scheme is unlikely to be cost effective on energy efficiency and carbon savings grounds.

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to benefit from energy efficiency measures and the energy bill savings they can bring. However, we also recognise that the cost to retrofit homes can be substantial – our ‘Green Deal’ will allow consumers to fund the upfront cost out of energy bill savings. It is expected that double glazing will be one of the measures that can be installed under the Green Deal.

So what is the 'Green Deal'? The idea is that homeowners will be entitled to up to £6500 to put towards home improvement in order to reduce energy bills. The money saved on energy bills will be put towards repayments, but with the homeowner still making a saving. Also, if that person was to move, the new owner of the property will be responsible for the rest of the repayments.

I can see the point made about the cost effectiveness of replacing windows. However they've said they would expect to include replacement windows in the Green Deal which is positive. Hopefully this will continue to provide the double glazing industry with more opportunities in which to gain a stronger foothold in an economic recovery.