Find out about the Government’s new Green Homes Grant, and what it could mean for you!
What is it?
In July, the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, accounced the Green Homes Grant.
The Grant will provide £2 billion for people across England and Wales to improve their homes to reduce carbon emissions.
The scheme will start in September, and run to March 2021. The hope is to save people hundreds of pounds a year on their bills.
What can I get?
The Grant will cover two-thirds of the cost of the improvement, up to £5,000, and you will have to pay the rest.
If you are on benefits, the grant can be for £10,000 and you won’t have to pay anything.
There are two categories of improvement, and to get anything from the second category, you need to also have something from the first category.
The options in the first category are:
- Insulation, i.e. solid wall, under-floor, cavity wall or roof insulation.
- Air or Ground source heat pumps
- Solar thermal heating.
The second category includes;
- Double or Triple glazing
- Upgrading to more energy efficient doors
- Draught proofing
- Hot water tank thermostats, heating controls, etc.
The scheme does not cover solar electric.
How do I get it?
The scheme will be run through vouchers. In order to get a voucher, the homeowner must make an online application with the details of the work they wish to be carried out.
Once you’ve applied, your details are sent to the approved local suppliers, who will then send a quote.
Once the work has been approved and the quote has been sent, then the government will issue the voucher.
The scheme will only open for application in Spetember 2020.
Who is eligible?
In order to be eligible you need to be the homeowner. If you rent then you are not entitled to anything.
However, if you are a landlord you can apply, and you could even pass the savings on to your tenants.
You are not eligible if you are in Scotland, or outside of the UK.
The investment in this scheme may sound like a lot, but if everyone claims the maximum amount then it won’t even cover 2% of homes in the UK. As such, it is best to act fast to avoid missing out on thousands!
