Despite only having launched on 9 June, the Government has already closed its Green Deal Home Improvement Fund for applications, citing ‘overwhelming popular demand’ for its decision.
According to the DECC (Department of Energy and Climate Change), a surge in applications means that the allocated budget has already been reached. DECC says that all applications received prior to the fund closing that satisfy the terms and conditions and meet the eligibility criteria will be honoured at the original rates.
The Green Deal Home Improvement Fund was set up to help households in England and Wales improve the energy efficiency of their homes.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Energy & Climate Change, Amber Rudd, said: “The Green Deal Home Improvement Fund is a world first and in a short space of time it has proved extremely popular. We were always clear there was a budget which is why we encouraged people to act quickly.'
She added: “As a result, thousands more families will now benefit from Government help to have warmer homes which use less energy.”
DECC says it will monitor voucher redemption rates and will consider whether to launch a further offer should funds become available.
In December 2013, the Government announced that a £540 million three year energy efficiency package and up to £120 million will be available for home energy efficiency schemes from April 2015.
See also http://bit.ly/X9057q