Vouchers of up to £10,000 are set to be issued as part of the UK Government’s Green Homes Grant Scheme. These vouchers will allow homeowners and landlords in England to make their homes more energy efficient.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak announced the scheme last month [08 July 2020]. As a result we are now able to answer any questions you may have about the grant scheme.

What is the Green Homes Grant Scheme?

The Green Homes Grant Scheme is a new energy efficiency scheme launched by the UK Government.

The scheme will aim to help homeowners and landlord’s upgrade their homes and properties with energy saving measures, such as insulation and certain heating measures, in order to improve the energy efficiency of their property and reduce energy usage.

Who is eligible for the scheme?

Through the scheme, homeowners and landlords will be able to apply for vouchers worth up to a maximum of £10,000.

Most homeowners will be eligible for a voucher of up to £5,000, whereas those on lower incomes could be eligible for a the voucher worth £10,000. But the way the scheme works will differ slightly depending on which category you fall in to.

Which home improvement measures are covered by the grant?

A range of home improvement measures are covered by the grant. These measures are split into primary and secondary measures. To qualify for financial support you must have at least one primary measure installed.

Primary measures

  • Insulation, including loft, under floor, solid wall, cavity wall and room in roof insulation
  • Low carbon heating, including air-source and ground-source heat pumps or solar thermal systems

The Government have also stated that to receive a low carbon heating measure, you must first have adequate insulation installed at your property.

Once you have installed a primary measure, you will then be able to install a secondary measure.

Secondary measures

  • Draught-proofing
  • Double or triple glazing, or secondary glazing, this measure can only be installed if the existing windows are single glazed, double glazing replacement does not qualify
  • Energy efficient doors, only if the door being replaced is installed before 2002
  • Heating controls and insulation, including appliance thermostats, hot water tank thermostats, hot water tank insulation, zone controls, smart heating controls, delayed-start thermostats and thermostatic radiator valves

I already have insulation in my property, am I eligible for a grant?

If you already have insulation measures installed in your house, you can use the vouchers to install a “top-up” – for example the installation of additional loft insulation so it reaches the recommended levels – but not to replace what you already have.

When does the Green Homes Grant Scheme end?

The Green Homes Grant Scheme is due to end in March 2021. It will run for 6 months from September 2020 to March 2021.

How can I apply for a voucher?

Greenhouse Energy are a Trustmark accredited business and an approved insulation installer. If you are looking to improve the energy efficiency of your home and save on your heating bills, please apply online or contact us on 01244 637410 to discuss any insulation requirements that you may have under the scheme. Once the work has been agreed a voucher can be issued (from the 10th November 2020).

For more information on the Green Homes Grant scheme and how to apply for vouchers, you can visit the Simple Energy Advice website.