How to Claim £5k Through the Green Homes Grant

Draughty homes in England could be set to receive up to £5,000 in vouchers to go towards energy efficiency upgrades under a new government scheme launching in September.

Part of a £2 billion plan announced by chancellor Rishi Sunak, for most households the Green Homes Grant will cover at least two-thirds of the cost of energy efficiency improvements such as insulation, double glazing and eco-friendly boilers.

For example, a homeowner installing cavity wall and floor insulation at a cost of £4,000 would pay around £1,320 with the vouchers making up the remaining £2,680.

Those on low incomes could even be set for more, with up to £10,000 worth of Green Homes Grant vouchers being available with the full cost of improvements being met by the government.

Better insulation will not only reduce your carbon footprint but could save some households up to £600 a year on their energy bills.

The Green Homes Grant also aims to get the economy back up and running after months of lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Announcing the scheme, Sunak said: "As Britain recovers from the outbreak it’s vital we do everything in our power to support and protect livelihoods across the nation.

"Our Green Homes Grant will not only cut families’ bills by making their homes more energy-efficient, it will also kick start our economy by creating thousands of green jobs – and supporting those skilled tradespeople who are ready to work."

What improvements will the Green Homes Grant cover?

The scheme is set to take a ‘whole-house approach’, with a retrofit co-ordinator visiting and assessing which improvement measures offer the best value for money.

While final details have yet to be confirmed by the government, it is expected that the scheme will cover:

• Loft, wall and floor insulation
• Double and triple-glazing
• Eco-friendly boilers
• Low energy lighting
• Heat pumps

How can I apply?

The Green Homes Grant is set to launch in September, with homeowners able to see the options available to them and apply online. From here you will be able to see a list of accredited local suppliers from which you can obtain a quote.

Once the work is given the green light, you’ll be issued a voucher towards the cost of improvements.

Though we don’t yet have full details of qualifying thresholds, it is expected that there will not be any maximum income criteria to obtain the £5,000 vouchers. While the £10,000 grant is available to lower incomes families, the upper limit of this is also yet to be announced.

As the Green Homes Grant only applies to homes in England, those in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland won’t be covered, unfortunately.

The Green Homes Grant announcement follows hot on the heels of an £80 million green energy investment to boost the UK’s efforts in hitting its net-zero emissions target by 2050.