What is the Green Deal?

The Green Deal is a Government initiative set to be launched in October 2012, designed to help save energy and reduce carbon emissions from existing UK properties.

Homeowners – and the owners of small business premises - will be able to buy home improvement products that either generate energy or help save energy, and crucially, they won’t have to pay for these up front. Instead, businesses and banks will provide the finance, and it will be repaid via the savings made on energy bills. The scheme is still being developed at the moment, but there is a long list of approved products including solar panels, insulation, windows and doors, heat pumps etc - all provided they meet the Green Deal requirements.

Unlike conventional finance deals, green finance costs for the improvement are attached to the property, not the person. So if a homeowner sells his house, the new owner will pick up the bill – but also benefit from the improved energy efficiency.

Energy efficient doors

All of Door-Stop’s doors exceed the current Building Regulations for energy efficiency, which came into force in October 2010, and covered front doors for the first time. Under the legislation, all new doors sold and fitted in England and Wales must have a U-value of 1.8W/m2K (1.6W/m2K in Scotland) or less. The door’s U-value is a measure of its energy efficiency, and the lower the U-value, the more energy efficient the door.

Choosing thermal glass on Door-Stop doors makes them even more energy efficient, with an ultimate U-value of just 1 W/m2K.

This 1.8 U-value has been a requirement for windows for some years, but is now applied to doors, although most manufacturers do not provide proof. In fact, manufacturers of doors made of timber, aluminium or PVC panels are likely to find it difficult to even meet the 2010 Building Regulations, let alone the upcoming legislation in 2013 and 2016, in which we can expect further energy efficiency revisions.

Doors with energy rating certificates

Now that a BFRC rating scheme has been introduced manufacturers can provide energy rating performance.

Door-Stop supply the first ever energy rated doors. The British Fenestration Rating Council announced the introduction of door energy ratings on 1 September 2011–only 2 weeks later every single Door-Stop door carried its own verified energy rating.

New energy regulations for doors mean all door manufacturers and resellers will have to prove their doors compliance. Neither building control nor homeowners will automatically just take companies word on it. A generic certificate for certain door 'types' may not suffice either.

Using a calculation method verified by the Building Research Establishment and BFRC each and every Door-Stop composite door comes with a unique energy rating certificate, delivered immediately at the point of order.

This is not a type test or a dubious assurance that gives all of your doors the same U value. It is tailored for each particular door configuration.

Under the Green Deal, products and installers will need to be accredited to the standard. Door-Stop's bespoke energy rating certificates can be used to prove the energy efficiency of the door in energy assessment surveys required by the Green Deal.

Door type comparison

Door-Stop have been following events closely especially with regard to expected U value door performance comparisons. Our GRP composite doors in comparison to doors made from other materials look great and already meet all durability and security tests. But we wanted to find out how other materials would stand up against our composite doors in regards to heat loss (U value).

According to CENSolutions, a 60mm-65mm thick hardwood door would have a U-value of between 2.5 and 3.0, and most timber door manufacturers will find it “virtually impossible to achieve 1.8”. Composite doors will comply, although door panels may find it harder - as it stands non-composite manufacturers are going to struggle to meet this compliance level.

Door-Stop on the other hand will continue to manufacture and deliver extremely durable, police approved U value compliant doors to the trade within 3 days, order online today.

Green Deal FAQ

When is it happening?

The Green Deal is in development at the moment (so watch this space for an update!) and will be introduced in October 2012. Most outstanding questions will be answered in early 2012.

How important are composite doors?

Very. In the chart provided by Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), insulated doors are considered to be the third most cost effective way of achieving Green Deal objectives. Or put another way, the the cost of replacing a front door with an energy thermally efficient one will be easily offset against savings on fuel bills.

Is Green Deal finance a personal loan?

No. Unlike conventional loans, Green Deal finance is attached to the property, not the person. So if a homeowner sells the house, the new owner will pick up the bill - and benefit from the improved energy efficiency.

Who’s providing the finance

Green Deal Providers will provide the finance and the overall plan for consumers in terms of supply and installment of energy efficient products.

Companies like British Gas, B&Q and Marks & Spencer have already been mentioned as possible Green Deal Providers. However the Government has not yet drafted the criteria for a company to become a Green Deal Provider nor have any been appointed.

Green Deal Providers will probably have to meet the requirements of the Consumer Credit Act (CCA) and hold a Consumer Credit License.

The Green Deal Provider will also be responsible for ensuring the property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is updated by an accredited assessor to reflect the new improvements, once installed.

What is a Green Deal plan?

Once the property has been assessed, with tailored energy saving recommendations, homeowners will be able to agree a Green Deal Plan based on a firm quotation from a licensed Green Deal provider.

What is an Energy Assessment and who will do it?

Homeowners should have their properties assessed by an independent accredited assessor, resulting in an Energy Performance Certificate which shows how energy efficient the building is and where improvements could be made.

The Energy Assessment is split into two distinct parts; the assessment of the fabric of the building, and how the occupier uses the building - with recommendations on how changed use will save energy.

The process ensures that future homeowners will have realistic expectations of their likely energy use or savings on their bills.

Who will install the products?

Green Deal energy saving measures will only be fitted by an installer registered under the relevant certification scheme, and contracted by the Provider.

Existing trade certification schemes must be accredited by UKAS to meet the Green Deal Standard (PAS 2030) which is currently being developed by BSI. This standard will look at the competency and qualification of the installer.