Green Homes Grant

Overview of Green Homes Grant:

Are you a Homeowner or residential landlord? You can apply for a “Green Homes Grant” voucher towards the cost of installing energy efficient improvements to your home.

These Improvements could include insulating your home to reduce your energy use or installing low-carbon heating to lower the amount of carbon dioxide your home produces.

The government scheme was launched in September 2020 and will run until 31 March 2022 (having been extended in November 2020). These vouchers must be redeemed, and improvements must be completed by 31 March 2022.

The government anticipates that around 650,000 homes in England will be covered by the grant. 

How much is the Green Homes Grant?

Vouchers under the Green Homes Grant will cover two-thirds of the cost of eligible improvements, up to a maximum government contribution of £5,000.

However, if you or someone in your household, receive certain benefits you may be eligible for a voucher covering 100% of the cost of the improvements. The maximum value of the voucher under the low-income support scheme is £10,000.

Eligibility: Home Owner

You will be eligible for Green Homes Grant if you live in England and:

• you own your own home (including long-leaseholders and shared ownership)
• you own your own park home on a residential site (including Gypsy and Traveller sites)
• you are a residential landlord in the private or social rented sector (including local authorities and housing associations)

You cannot get the Green Homes Grant for newly built homes which have not been previously occupied. Also, you cannot claim a Green Homes Grant voucher if you are claiming other grants or funding like Energy Company Obligation (ECO), Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), Local Authority Delivery Scheme etc.

Click here to check your eligibility for the Green Homes Grant. 

Eligibility: Landlord

If you are a landlord, be advised that Green Homes Grant counts towards the total de minimis state aid you’re allowed to get over a 3 year period. You must check that you will not exceed the de minimis state aid threshold of €200,000.

Most private rented properties must have a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E under the minimum energy efficiency standard.

If you are applying for a voucher for a private rented sector property, you need to either provide:

• proof that you have met this standard
• proof of an exemption

 Eligibility: Tenant

Tenants cannot apply for Green Homes Grant. However, you can use the Simple Energy Advice (SEA) website to check what energy efficiency or low carbon heating improvements may be best suited for your home. You can take the questionnaire and build an energy efficiency plan to send to your landlord.

What the Grant/voucher can be used for?

The Green Homes Grant is divided into two categories: primary home improvements and secondary improvements. 

Primary measures:

The voucher must be used to install at least 1 primary measure. These include solid wall insulation (internal or external), cavity wall insulation, under-floor insulation (solid floor, suspended floor), loft insulation, flat roof insulation, pitched roof insulation, room in roof insulation, insulating a park home etc.

The Primary measures also include low carbon heating measures like air source heat pump, ground source heat pump, solar thermal (liquid filled flat plate or evacuated tube collector), biomass boiler, hybrid heat pump etc.

Secondary measures:

Once you have applied for a primary voucher and this has been approved, you can then apply for a secondary measure providing you have money remaining on your voucher. The contribution on a secondary measure will be capped at the same amount provided in relation to the primary measures. 

Secondary measures include;

– Windows and doors:

Draught proofing, double or triple glazing (where replacing single glazing), secondary glazing (in addition to single glazing), energy efficient replacement doors (replacing single glazed or solid doors installed before 2002)

– Heating controls and insulation:

Hot water tank thermostat, hot water tank insulation, heating controls (such as, appliance thermostats, smart heating controls, zone controls, intelligent delayed start thermostat, thermostatic radiator valves).

 What the grant voucher covers?

The voucher will cover costs of material, labour and VAT. Additional works will also be covered by the voucher if they are necessary for the installation of measures.

How to apply for Green Homes Grant?

Step 1: Check your eligibility. Click here

Step 2: Find out energy efficiencies and low carbon heat improvements are suitable for your home. Click here

Step 3: Find certified installers in your area. Click here

Step 4: Apply for the voucher. Click here

 Getting the work done & redeeming the voucher

Once your voucher has been issued, the installer can begin the work. Once the work is completed, your installer must give you a dated copy of an invoice showing the supply and installation cost of your chosen measures, any certification for energy efficiency improvement, a guarantee document from the installer, an MCS certificate, a Biomass Suppliers List.

You must redeem your voucher before it expires. To redeem your voucher you will need reference number, post code, email address, voucher number, invoice etc.