Green Homes Grant Scheme – what improvements are eligible?
The government has confirmed that the installation of insulation and low-carbon heating systems will take priority under the new Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme, which will open for applications in September 2020.
The government has announced further details of the scheme, first announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak in July, which is designed to cut energy bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The scheme will assist homeowners, including landlords, by providing vouchers covering up to two-thirds of the cost of specified home improvements.
The scheme will be split in to primary and secondary measures, with the rules stating that households will need to install at least one primary measure to be eligible for funding for a secondary measure.
For most homeowners, there will be a contribution of up to £5000 available. However, owner-occupiers in receipt of income or disability support may be eligible for a contribution of up to 100% of the cost of both primary and secondary measures, worth up to £10,000.
The list of approved primary measures is as follows:
- Solid wall insulation
- Cavity wall insulation
- Under-floor insulation
- Loft insulation
- Flat roof insulation
- Room in roof insulation
- Park home insulation
- Air source heat pump installation
- Ground source heat pump installation
- Solar thermal installation
The list of approved secondary measures is as follows:
- Draught proofing
- Double/triple glazing (where replacing single glazing)
- Secondary glazing (in addition to single glazing)
- Upgrading to energy-efficient doors (where replacing doors installed prior to 2002)
- Heating controls and insulation (appliance thermostats, hot water tank thermostats, hot water tank insulation, smart heating controls, zone controls, delayed start thermostat, and thermostatic radiator valves).
Homeowners will only be eligible to receive the same amount of funding for a secondary measure option as they received for the primary measure. For example, if an applicant receives £1000 for the installation of a primary measure, they can only receive £1000 for a secondary measure.
The government estimates that the scheme will benefit 600,000 homeowners in England.
Any tradespeople supplying services as part of the scheme must be accredited.
The scheme will not cover new-build or non-domestic properties.
