What is the new Green Homes Grant (and am I applicable)?

The new Green Homes Grant has officially launched and we couldn’t be happier. Find out more about the new Government grant scheme and whether or not you can take advantage of it.

The new Green Homes Grant officially landed yesterday after a long awaited build up. The scheme is intended as a way to bridge the gap between delivering net zero homes and supporting green careers and economic recovery. And, here at Buildpass, we are over the moon that it’s finally live.

If you’re a homeowner or residential landlord, then the Green Homes Grant could well be for you. The scheme is focused on those living in England and is a chance to maximise the efficiency of your home or development.

What is the new Green Homes Grant? Essentially, it is your chance to apply for vouchers worth up to £5,000 to make your home greener. This fund can help pay for insulation, double glazing, low-carbon heating and a plethora of other home improvements.

However, it isn’t as straightforward as applying for the scheme and receiving your voucher in the post. In this article, we will explore the scheme in finer detail, including what you need to do to tick the boxes and access the grants.

What improvements does the Green Homes Grant include?

The Green Homes Grant scheme provides homeowners and landlords with vouchers to install:

• Solid wall, cavity wall, floor or roof insulation
• Air Source Heat Pumps or Ground Source Heat Pumps
• Solar thermal
• Biomass pellet boilers

Recipients can also use the vouchers for further energy-saving measures. These could be one or more of the following:

• Double or triple glazing/secondary glazing, when replacing single glazing
• Upgrading to energy-efficient doors
• Hot water tank/appliance tank thermostats/heating controls

In its simplest form, the grant pays for any energy efficiency improvements you want to make to your home. But, there are some restrictions and points that are worth keeping in mind.

What do I need to know about the Green Home Grant scheme?

Before everyone gets too excited, there are some restrictions.

• Vouchers will be issued at either £5,000 OR two thirds of the installation price – whichever is lower
• If you are using the grant to install a heat pump, the installer MUST be registered with MCS. Don’t panic if you aren’t accredited yet – you can do so through the MCS website
• Installers must register with TrustMark and Green Homes Grant installer to access the scheme
• You will be asked to submit a quote (and it is suggested that you submit three) – if it is deemed unreasonably high, you’ll be asked to submit another
• Hybrid heat pump systems (those which combine a heat pump and fossil fuel burner) are covered by the scheme, but they MUST be new
• New build domestic properties are NOT included, and neither are non-domestic properties
• If you are a landlord, you will need to confirm that your property achieves a EPC level E or higher
• All heating installations must be used for space heating and/or domestic water heating – that means NOT for purposes such as outdoor heating or swimming pool heating
• You need to choose at least ONE primary improvement; for example, insulation or low carbon heating
• You can then use the rest of the voucher for SECONDARY improvements, up to the same amount. This includes draught-proofing, double or triple glazing, energy efficient doors, insulation and heating controls

But it isn’t all red tape. There is also the opportunity for homeowners from lower income backgrounds to receive even higher financial support.

Poorer households will be eligible for up to £10,000 towards the improvements, and they will not be required to pay one third of the cost.

You can qualify for the Green Home Grants low-income scheme if you are a homeowner (rather than a landlord) and receive at least one of the following:

• Attendance Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance
• Child Tax Credits (CTC) 
• Contribution based Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)
• Contribution based Jobseekers allowance (JSA)
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Income based Employment & Support Allowance (ESA) 
• Income based Jobseekers allowance (JSA)
• Income Support (IS) 
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
• Housing benefit
• Pension Guarantee Credit
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) 
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• Universal Credit (UC)
• Working Tax Credit (WTC)

Sounds great… How do I apply?

Vouchers are available now and you can apply by checking your eligibility through the government website, choosing certified installers in your area and then applying online for the voucher.

Note that you will need the name and date of birth of the property owner or owners, as well as of anyone living in the property who is receiving benefits (if applying for the low-income scheme). You will also need a quote for the work from a TrustMark registered tradesperson, and the license number of the chosen tradesperson.

And then? You wait for the thumbs up!

This is a brilliant step in the right direction for the UK’s net zero pledge – we can’t wait to see the impact it has on the industry as more and more homeowners and landlords take up the opportunity.

Are you keen to apply for the new Green Homes Grant but aren’t sure what would be best for your home? Get in touch with a member of our team – we can help.