Thursday 9 September 2010

Government says no to Double Glazing Scrappage Scheme - make do with Green Deal

Despite individual window companies offering customers 'scrappage scheme' discounts on double glazing, there's been no official Government campaign like the motor trade scheme the window companies have, and continue to copy.

However, after being petitioned by the glazing industry, the Government has finally responded.

Whilst it says it won't entertain an outright national scrappage scheme for replacement windows, even though it admits the cost of a full house installation could be on a par with purchasing a new car, it expects "double glazing will be one of the measures that can be installed under the Green Deal".

The Green Deal is a scheme where energy companies and high street stores will be required to finance insulation and other energy efficiency measures in homes upfront. The costs will then be paid back by the homeowner through their energy bills based on the energy savings they make. Effectively, the homeowner doesn't benefit from cheaper energy bills, but does get the value of the improvements.

Key properties that will be targeted are those that are difficult or expensive to heat - properties without cavity wall insulation and residential areas of fuel poverty.

Local authorities are helping the Government identify those homes and areas that will benefit most from a Green Deal.

It's not all bad news for homeowners then (or the double glazing industry which was hoping for a welcome boost to sales on the back of a nationally recognised scheme) but in the meantime, there will always be window companies offering superb individual money saving offers including their own scrappage schemes and finance options.

If you're interested in offers, keep a close eye out for VAT free offers. There are quite a few about now but expect the number to increase the nearer to December we get, ahead of the VAT increase to 20% in January.

Are you interested in getting a local scrappage scheme style discount when replacing your old windows and doors? Then visit WindowQuoter and get your instant online quote.

3 comments:

  1. Can you tell me if double glazing has been added to the measures that can be installed under the Green Deal? I know it was just a proposal...but it was approved?

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  2. Hi John and thanks for stopping by.

    In answer to your question, I believe that some form of clarification might be forthcoming in the governments energy review due on the 20th october.

    Here's a link you may find useful:
    http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn10_104/pn10_104.aspx

    It's likely that the cost of such a improvement might be linked to paying back the installer through the energy savings you'd be expected to make. We'll have to wait and see.

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  3. Though Government says no to double glazing scrappage scheme, i heard that many private companies offer valuable double glazing schemes. Is it right?

    ReplyDelete