Exploring the Nuances of the Promising Green Homes Grant

UK citizens are taking a lot more interest in promoting a green economy. A poll conducted last year found that 56% of UK citizens support a carbon neutral economy by 2030. Even a plurality of conservative voters support this target, as opposed to the less ambitious goal of reaching a similar target by 2050.

Fortunately, the government is introducing some new policies to encourage sustainable living in the coming years. This will encourage more people to practice sustainable lifestyles. Many of them are investing in new technologies to make their homes eco-friendlier.

Are you looking to make your home more energy efficient? Perhaps you’d like to pay for insulation, or invest in double glazing for your windows and doors?

If you have already been trying to reduce your bills and carbon footprint by turning down your thermostat, washing your clothes at a lower temperature, and turning off the tap when you don’t need the running water, then that’s a great start. However, if you’re a homeowner or residential landlord, you can now apply for a Green Homes Grant voucher, which you can use towards the cost of installing energy efficient improvements to your home.

What is the Green Homes Grant scheme?

The Green Homes Grant is a government scheme that offers vouchers up to the value of £5,000 to help homeowners like you make green home improvements.

What home improvements apply?

The voucher that you will receive from the government must be used towards installing at least one primary measure. It is meant to inspire many residents to move towards greener buildings. These primary measures include under-floor insulation, cavity wall insulation, flat roof insulation, solid wall insulation and insulating a park home, plus others. Low-carbon heating measures are also covered by the voucher and include the likes of a ground-source heat pump, biomass boiler and solar thermal.

If you use the grant to install at least one primary measure, your voucher can also be utilised to help pay for the cost of any of the following secondary measures: double glazing on windows and doors, a new hot water tank thermostat and heating controls.

Home improvements don’t come cheap, so if you’re looking to make huge changes to your household and know that the grant won’t cover all the costs, ensure that you have carefully considered all your financial options beforehand.

Who’s eligible?

While both homeowners are landlords are eligible, newbuild domestic properties and non-domestic properties such as offices and shops are not. You may be eligible if you live in England and own your home, or if you own your own park home on a residential site.

If you’re a residential landlord in the private or social rented sector – including local authorities and housing associates – you will be able to apply, too.

If you’re a low-income household, you may be eligible to receive up to £10,000 towards home improvements, and you won’t have to contribute anything to the cost.

When is the deadline?

All individuals that are eligible must redeem the voucher and ensure home improvements are completed by March 31, 2022.

How to apply for the green home grant

Before you apply, it’s important to check that you’re eligible to receive the voucher. Following on from that, you can check what energy-efficient or low-carbon heat improvements might be suitable for your home, before finding a certified installer to carry out the work. Then you can go ahead and apply for the voucher.

Make the Most of the Green Home Grant

You can do a lot to make your home more sustainable. The Green Home Grant can be very beneficial. You just have to make sure that you invest in it it appropriately.