Starting in June, UK households will be eligible to receive up to £7,600 (US $12,800) from the government for implementing measures that improve energy efficiency in buildings. Through the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund (GDHIF), consumers will be refunded up to £1,000 for installing two measures from an approved list, including cavity wall insulation and replacement storage heaters, and £6,000 for solid wall insulation. According to Energy Secretary Ed Davey, the GDHIF seeks to improve energy efficiency while lowering consumers’ gas and electricity bills. While climate change minister Greg Barker spoke optimistically about the fund, saying it will make it “simpler and cheaper for people to stay warm and improve their homes,” UK Green Building Council director of policy and communications John Alker feels there is still more to be done. He noted that the much of the funds from the Green Deal program have gone unspent; since its inception in January 2013, the program has attracted only 2000 plans. For the full story, see http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-05-01/u-k-offers-homeowners-7-600-pounds-for-efficiency-measures.html and utilityweek.co.uk/news/decc-offers-7600-of-new-green-deal-incentives/1004152#.U2OXQqK3b5M.