What is the Green Homes Grant scheme?

Last updated 19th November 2020

The Green Homes Grant scheme, launched on 30 September 2020, enables homeowners and landlords, in England, to apply for vouchers to help cover the cost of energy-efficient home improvements.

What improvements are covered?

The Green Homes Grant scheme is split into primary and secondary measures. To qualify for the vouchers, at least one primary measure must be installed. Homeowners and landlords can then claim up to the same amount for a secondary measure, should they wish.

Primary measures Low carbon heat Air source heat pump Biomass boiler Ground source heat pump Hybrid heat pump Solar thermal Insulation Cavity wall Flat roof Loft Park Home Pitched roof Room in roof Solid wall Underfloor

Secondary measures Windows and doors Energy-efficient doors (when replacing doors fitting prior to 2002) Double or triple glazing (when replacing single glazing) Secondary double glazing (when adding to single glazing) Draught proofing Heating controls and insulation Hot water tank thermostat or appliance thermostat Hot water tank insulation Heating controls (smart heating controls, zone controls, thermostatic radiator valves)

Homeowners and landlords can check which measures their homes would be suitable for on the Simple Energy Advice website.

Are existing installations covered?

Homeowners and landlords cannot claim for installations of replacement measures, but they can claim for a ‘top-up’, like additional loft insulation for example.

How much are the Green Homes Grant vouchers worth?

The majority of qualifying homeowners and landlords will be eligible for a voucher worth up to a maximum of £5,000 to cover up to two-thirds of the cost of their new installation. Homeowners who are on benefits or low-income may be eligible for a voucher worth up to £10,000 which could cover the entire cost of their installation.

Heat pump tariff

Anyone installing a heat pump could further benefit from the new heat pump tariff introduced by Good Energy which offers low rates and zero standing charge over the winter months.

Who is eligible?

To qualify for the £5,000 voucher…
Homeowners must live in England and they must own their own home (including long leaseholders and shared ownership) or own their own park home on a residential site (including gypsy and traveller sites). Landlords must operate within the private sector or social rented sector (including housing associations and local authorities).

New builds and homes which have not been previously occupied are not eligible for the £5,000 voucher.

To qualify for the £10,000 voucher…

Homeowners must live in England and they must own your own home (including long leaseholders and shared ownership) or own their own park home on a residential site (including gypsy and traveller sites). They must also be in receipt of one of the following benefits:

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

Landlords, new builds, and homes which have not been previously occupied are not eligible for the £10,000 voucher.

What if the homeowner or landlord is claiming another grant or funding?

Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)…

If a homeowner or landlord would like to claim RHI for a renewable heat installation they must first claim their Green Homes Grant voucher and then inform Ofgem when they apply for accreditation to the RHI. The voucher will then be deducted from their RHI payments.

Energy Company Obligation (ECO)…

Homeowners and landlords cannot claim both the Green Homes Grant voucher and funding under ECO for the same installation. They can, however, claim both for separate installations. For example, they can claim funding under ECO for cavity wall insulation and claim a Green Homes Grant voucher for loft insulation.

Local Authority Delivery Scheme…

If a homeowner or landlord has received a grant from their Local Authority as part of the Local Authority Delivery Scheme, they will not be eligible for a Green Homes Grant voucher.

How do homeowners and landlords apply?

Anyone wishing to apply should first complete the short questionnaires on the Government’s Simple Energy Advice website to:

1. Check their eligibility
2. Check which improvements would be suitable for their homes

They can then select the improvements they are interested in from the list of recommendations and download or email themselves a pdf with further details on each.

The next step is to obtain quotes from approved installers who are able to carry out the work they require. They should get a minimum of two quotes to ensure they are getting the best value for money and will need to supply a copy of their chosen quote(s) when applying for a voucher(s).

Work should not start before the voucher has been received by the homeowner or landlord. Any installation work that commences before the voucher has been issued will not be covered.

Homeowners and landlords can apply for a Green Homes Grant voucher here.

How is the installer paid?

Unless the installation is for a homeowner claiming on the low-income scheme, installers may ask for a deposit, but this cannot be for more than the one-third of the installation cost they would be expected to pay.

If a homeowner is on the low-income scheme and claiming the up to £10,000 voucher, they should not be asked to pay a deposit unless the cost of their installation exceeds £10,000.

Once the installation is finished, the homeowner or landlord will need to confirm the work is complete, confirm they have been provided all relevant documentation and confirm they have paid their share of the costs (if applicable). They will also need to confirm they meet the eligibility requirements for the scheme.

They will then submit a copy of the invoice and their installer will be paid directly on their behalf.

Is there a time limit to use the vouchers?

Yes! In order to benefit all works must be completed and vouchers redeemed by 31 March 2022.

Can any installer carry out the installations?

No, for a homeowner or landlord to qualify for a voucher their installation(s) must be carried out by a TrustMark Registered Business that is also registered with the Green Homes Grant scheme. Additionally, if the voucher is for a low carbon heat installation the installer must also be MCS Certified.

 

Become a Green Homes Grant Scheme Installer Green Homes Grant installer requirements To install measures under the Green Homes Grant scheme you must: Be certified to either PAS 2030:2017 or PAS 2030:2019 by a Certification Body that has been accredited by UKAS. Be certified to PAS 2035:2019 by a Certification Body that has been accredited by UKAS (for park homes, high-rise buildings and buildings that are traditionally constructed and protected). Be a TrustMark Registered Business. Be MCS Certified (if you are installing low carbon heat measures). Apply to be a Green Homes Grant installer Register as a TrustMark Registered Business (if not already registered) Register as a Green Homes Grant installer

 

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