The Green Grant

The Green Grant

Last week saw further information released about one of Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak’s big announcements from this year’s summer statement, The Green Homes Grant.  The scheme is intended as a mechanism to boost the English construction industry in these hard times, and fuel a very necessary move towards upgrading our homes to be more energy efficient.  Here is the official press release from the UK Government.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/quality-assurance-at-heart-of-new-2-billion-green-homes-grants

What is the Green Grant Scheme?

The scheme is a £2bn investment in green technology to cut carbon emissions.  Over 600,000 homes are expected to benefit from the government paying up to two thirds of the cost for some energy saving home improvements in the existing English housing stock.

How will the Green Grant Work?

The Grant comes in the form of vouchers which can be applied for from September.  The vouchers can be up to £5,000 and can be used to pay for up to two thirds of the cost of the work.  Some low income families will be eligible for £10,000, with up to 100% of the cost covered.

What work will be covered by the Scheme:

From the end of August, homeowners across England will be able to access advice and support on improving the energy efficiency of their homes from the Simple Energy Advice (SEA) service. The SEA will suggest appropriate home improvements that homeowners may be able to apply for support in funding.

Householders are able to use their vouchers to install energy saving insulation or technologies in their home.  These are:

• Solid wall, under-floor, cavity wall or roof insulation
• Air source or ground source heat pump
• Solar thermal

The vouchers aren’t available to replace existing insulation or low carbon heating.

If the householder have used their vouchers for any of the above, they can also to install one or more secondary energy saving measures, up to the value of the primary vouchers:

• Double or triple glazing/secondary glazing,
  (only when replacing single glazing)
• Upgrading to energy efficient doors
  (as long as your door is older than 2002)
• Hot water tank/appliance tank
  thermostats/heating controls
• Draughtproofing

So, for example, if you spent £2,000 on insulation, you can spend up to £2,000 on a new door or new heating controls.

Who can carry out the work?

Households will be offered a list of approved TrustMark and MCS registered tradespeople in their local area to carry out the work.  All works must be carried out by a TrustMark and MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) registered tradespeople.

https://www.trustmark.org.uk/

https://mcscertified.com/

Currently, heating building accounts for almost a fifth of UK greenhouse gas emissions.  It is hoped that the Scheme will help make major moves towards the government’s targets of reaching net zero carbon by 2050.  If you have any queries involving energy efficiency savings in your new project, get in touch at www.maidenheadplanning.co.uk