Conservatory tax and green home improvements

Conservatories, boilers and new windows will now open homeowners up to a green bartering system.

Basically if a home owner wants to build a conservatory they will first have to improve their home’s energy efficiency in return for planning permission.

The green tax, as it has been labeled, is part of a document drawn up by the Communities and Local Government department with plans for implementation in April of 2014.

But the system is expected to add as much as ten per cent to the cost of the home improvements as homeowners have to pay for mandatory loft and wall insulation to fit the green requirements.

The green scheme could also see home improvers take on more debt with those who cannot pay the extra ten per cent having to borrow it under the Coalition’s Green Deal before gaining planning consent.

This will be paid back as an additional cost on top of energy bills.

The aim of the new regulations is to better reach the government’s carbon targets for domestic energy efficiency in the UK.

So far research has shown hesitation by homeowners to take up government provided loans for energy-saving home improvements.

This bartering system will force homeowners to consider the eco impact of their home when they go to do other renovations and improvements.
 

Tags:
• conservatory
,
• energy efficiency
,
• government