Green Loans

I am writing this after having spent a good while researching the so called green deal mentioned in the proposed new Energy Bill 2010. The new government has not as yet made it clear what the specifics of the Energy Bill would be but they have said that there will be a green loan made available to householders. The plan, which builds on the one announced by the outgoing Labour government in its last budget, is called a "pay-as-you-save" approach. The idea is that households borrowing money to make their home greener would repay the loan using money saved through lower energy bills. Labour originally wanted to create a £2bn fund to which households hoping to access money would apply. The private sector was expected to come up with a similar amount. In the past, the Tories previously promised £6,500 for each home, and the Lib Dems suggested up to £10,000 could be available. These figures may have to be revised upwards as a typical electricity generating solar scheme costs about £15,000, although these amounts would allow householders to invest in cheaper solar water heaters, or a range of insulation measures. I for one would like to see an interest free loan made available to households, otherwise I fear not many will take it up. I would also like to see the loan attached to the property. If the property comes onto the open market within the lifetime of the loan it could be used as a selling point to potential buyers. I would like to see it tied into the Energy Performance Certificate process and included in sales particulars so that buyers could see how many years of payments are left, what the energy bills are typically, what the savings are etc. It is only then, I believe,  that the public will start to see these green issues in the home as something beneficial and not as an expensive gimmick. Have your say on the Bill at http://programmeforgovernment.hmg.gov.uk/energy-and-climate-change/