Green Homes Grant – earn up to £5000 towards energy improvements

The Green Homes Grant enables customers to claim up to £5000 towards the costs of installing energy-saving home improvements.

The scheme is designed to kick-start the construction industry following COVID-19. The focus is on a green recovery. GreenGenUK has held MCS staus since 2011. Because of this, GreenGen is eligible to carry out work via the Green Homes Grant.

How will the Green Home Grant scheme work?

In effect, the Green Home Grant will allow homeowners and private landlords to claim up to £5000 off the cost of installing energy-saving home improvements, such as air source heating.

The grant will cover two-thirds of the cost of green home improvements up to a total of £5000. Low-income households may be eligible to receive up to £10,000 through the scheme.

Take, for example, a customer spending £7500 on eligible home improvements through the Green Home Grant would pay just £2500 of the total costs. The government pays the additional £5000 through the scheme.

What Improvements does Green Home Grant cover?

Funding is split into primary and secondary measures. Only those undertaking a primary measure will be able to receive the equivalent funding for a secondary measure. The cap across measures is £5000. The idea is that these measures will reduce household carbon output and reduce a home’s running costs.

Primary measures include:

• air source heating
• ground source heating
• solar thermal
• solid wall, underfloor, cavity and roof insulation

Secondary measures include:

• Upgrading single-glazing to double, triple or secondary glazing
• Upgrading to energy-efficient doors
• Hot water cylinder and controls
  
  

How will the scheme be rolled out?

Only MCS or TrustMark approved installers will be eligible to carry out the improvements under scheme regulations.

The homeowner will be provided with a list of accredited installers in their area. Furthermore, advice will be provided by the Simple Energy Advice (SEA) service. The SEA will recommend appropriate measures for the home and support with funding applications.

The homeowner and the chosen contractor then agree on the work and the cost. September will see vouchers for the scheme begin being issued.

How does the Green Homes Grant work with the RHI scheme?

The Renewable Heat Incentive – or RHI for short – has subsidised the uptake of renewable heating already for a number of years. It will still be possible to join the RHI scheme after applying to the Green Homes Grant.

Basically, support claimed towards the installation of an air source heat pump, ground source heat pump or solar thermal system via the Green Homes Grant will be deducted from a home’s total RHI payment.

For example, £10,000 is the total amount ‘Home A’ can claim through the RHI. The homeowner receives the full £5000 Green Homes Grant. This payment is offset against total RHI payments. The remaining £5000 RHI payments will then be paid out quarterly over seven years, as per the usual RHI scheme.

Where can I find more info on the Green Homes Grant?

This is the latest information available on the grant, with specifics still to follow. Further information on the Green Homes Grant is due to be released in the coming weeks.

Click here to visit the government’s website and find further details on the scheme.

Contact GreenGenUK if you have questions on how this scheme could benefit you.