UPDATE: AS OF MARCH 2021, THIS SCHEME HAS BEEN SCRAPPED
The Green Homes Grant is a new scheme aimed at homeowners and landlords.
What is it? What’s involved? How can you apply?
We answer your questions and share the details you need to know.
What is the Green Homes Grant?
Creating energy efficient homes is a top priority.
This is a £2bn grant scheme where the government will fund up to two-thirds of the cost of making energy-efficient improvements to homes.
This includes different measures for upgrading the energy-efficiency of a property, such as installing low-carbon heating to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide produced. These measures could save you up to £600 a year on energy bills.
While there are a number of ways to save money on utility bills, this directly assists the fight for a greener planet. Amidst plenty of energy saving tips for homeowners, this aims to help people make steps in the right direction.
How Much Can You Get?
The government will provide a voucher that covers two-thirds of the price of installation.
Most households will be eligible for up to £5,000 to put toward the cost of implementing these new measures.
However, some low-income households could be eligible for 100% funding and get up to £10,000. The low-income part of the scheme does not apply to landlords.
The T&Cs
This voucher must be used for at least one primary home insulation or low-carbon heating measure. If used for this, you can use the voucher to help cover the cost of secondary measures also. This is capped at the value of the subsidy used for the primary measure.
Example:
If you use the voucher for installing a primary measure worth £600, you can then use it for secondary measures totalling £600 maximum.
List of Energy-Efficient Improvements
The type of energy saving home improvements you can get include:
Primary Measures
Insulation:
- Cavity wall
- Loft
- Under-floor
- Solid wall
- Flat roof
- Park home insulation
- Room in roof
If the home is suitably insulated, the grant can be used for low carbon heat measures such as:
- Solar thermal
- Air source heat pump
- Biomass pellet boilers
- Ground source heat pump
Secondary Measures
Heating controls:
- Smart heating controls
- Thermostatic radiator valves
- Intelligent delayed-start thermostats
- Zone heating controls
- Hot water tank thermostats
- Hot water tank insulation
Windows and doors:
- Energy-efficient replacement external doors (replacing those installed before 2002)
- Draught proofing
- Double/triple glazing replacing single glazing
- Secondary glazing
Seek advice on what replacements to get from certified tradespeople. It’s advisable to contact those who have signed up for TrustMark accreditation.
Items Not Covered
You can’t receive a grant for the following measures:
- Insulating a conservatory with no fixed heating
- Installing a new fossil fuel boiler e.g. gas
- Building an extension or loft conversion
You also can’t use the grant to replace insulation or low carbon heating measures already in your home. However, you can use it to top them up. For example, you can add further insulation up to the recommended level.
Please note: the voucher does not pay for energy-efficient measures installed before the time of it being issued.
Who Is Eligible?
You can apply for a voucher if:
- You own your home. This includes shared ownership properties and leasehold properties
- You’re a private or social landlord
- Your property is in England
This doesn’t mean you’ll get the grant, however it’s important to check your eligibility.
New build properties that have not been previously occupied aren’t eligible. If you’ve already received a grant from your local authority as part of the Local Authority Delivery Scheme, you also aren’t eligible.
How Do You Apply?
From the end of September 2020, you can apply for a voucher.
To do this:
- Head to Simple Energy Advice to check what improvements can be made to your home
- Use this website to find accredited tradespeople
- Apply for the voucher from end of September
Only enter if:
- You’re committed to carrying out the work
- You make sure the work is scheduled to be completed and the voucher redeemed by March 2022
Please note that the voucher will be subject to its own terms and conditions. There are calls for the scheme to be extended amid significant delays and problems. So far, less than 5% of the budget has been paid out.
Considering Other Renovations?
If you’re considering undertaking more renovation work, get a home improvement loan quote to get the ball rolling on your project.
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Last Updated: January 3rd, 2024
