Green homes grants - would appreciate advice!

[RedPandaFluff]

Hi everyone - DH and I bought our home a year and a half ago, knowing that whilst the boiler was working at the time, it would need replacing at some point as it was already ten years old. We've discovered since moving in that the double glazing is knackered - we have a nine-month old DD and the curtains in her nursery move from the draught coming through the windows. It's really old double-glazing with wooden frames that don't seal and windows that just hook closed.

We're a bit skint as I'm on mat leave but we do have some savings that we can put towards improvements. I wondered if the green homes scheme could help - I've done a bit of reading about it and it looks as if we could have a voucher toward replacing the boiler with a biomass boiler, and then the equivalent for new double glazing . . . but, only to replace single glazing. Which is gutting as the double glazing we have is so awful we might as well leave the windows open!

Does anyone think it's worth asking an assessor to come out and have a look?

[PaulaSmith1]

Why don't you ask them - are there contact details?

[FurierTransform]

I've not read any further announcements (expected today), but I thought that what the grant can be put towards was quite clear cut & the homeowner won't really have the opportunity to pick & choose - in reality & for most people, its a loft insulation topup, & perhaps a smart thermostat on top...

More broadly, you always have to be wary with these schemes anyway - the approved contractors might provide very expensive quotes, reducing any apparent saving to the consumer.

I'd keep the boiler - it might last for many years yet, & either look to seal up the window with silicone for a cheap DIY fix, or get a local window company in to just replace 1 or 2 problem windows - you might be surprised how cheap this is.

[senua]

More broadly, you always have to be wary with these schemes anyway - the approved contractors might provide very expensive quotes, reducing any apparent saving to the consumer.
This.
They say that they have extra red tape and hoops to jump through. But the upshot is that these schemes aren't always the money-saver you expect them to be.

[Sarjest]

Good luck with finding an assessor. The scheme is asking for three quotes so some suppliers are saying they haven't the bandwidth to meet demand for quotes. The gov.uk site has been updated today but I have called three and none of them are prepared to come out as they don't know what the standards are (I'd like a loft insulation top up) nor do they know how to claim the money back. Shambolic. The email address on the website isn't accepting emails...

[RedPandaFluff]

Ah . . . okay, so it might not be such a great opportunity after all. I did think, in relation to the boiler, it might be old but it might be well-built and we should well keep it for as long as we can.

Unfortunately we can't seal up the windows as it would mean we can't open them (the draught is coming in because they don't seal closed, it's just wood resting on wood).

I think we'll probably just replace the windows we can, then. Thanks, everyone!

[FurierTransform]

@RedPandaFluff

Ah . . . okay, so it might not be such a great opportunity after all. I did think, in relation to the boiler, it might be old but it might be well-built and we should well keep it for as long as we can.

Unfortunately we can't seal up the windows as it would mean we can't open them (the draught is coming in because they don't seal closed, it's just wood resting on wood).

I think we'll probably just replace the windows we can, then. Thanks, everyone!

Easy trick to tide you over - cover the window & frame that opens all around the edges with clingfilm, or sellotape. Then put a bead of silicone all around the fixed frame, where this window would close against & where seal normally would be.
Close window.
Let the silicone set.
Open window, remove clingfilm, enjoy a pretty much perfectly formed silicone seal :D

[daisypond]

Definitely no need to replace a boiler that’s only ten years old - unless it’s really crap and keeps breaking down. My boiler is 25 years old and has never broken down once.

[Handsnotwands]

You can also buy sticky foam strips to go around the window openings. Cheap but quite effective

[chillibeansauce]

Im looking at this too OP. Ive also spoken to a few suppliers and they all just want house plans to base quotation on, none are prepared to come round.

[Shouldbeworkingnotreadingtalk]

You only need one quote. Not three.
Applied for my grant today for solar thermal - having had a quote earlier in September.
Process was VERY easy. .
Bear in mind that it's only £5k. That won't cover enough for a boiler and Windows .....
good luck. X

[chillibeansauce]

@Shouldbeworkingnotreadingtalk

You only need one quote. Not three.
Applied for my grant today for solar thermal - having had a quote earlier in September.
Process was VERY easy. .
Bear in mind that it's only £5k. That won't cover enough for a boiler and Windows .....
good luck. X

I must have misread the webpage as I thought it said you needed to collect 3 quotes. Thanks for advising !

[Shouldbeworkingnotreadingtalk]

Hi @chillibeansauce - I think they say "get three quotes" .... but for the actual grant application form they only ask you to submit one - the company you've decided to go with .... I'll be totally honest, I didn't get three quotes as I couldn't get three people to come round either ! (One wanted a £500 deposit) so I just submitted the one as they requested. As the government as paying 66% of the bill I'm not really fussed if another quote is £100 cheaper or dearer, the company that's getting my money is the company that could be bothered to show up .... naughty I know ...

[crimsonlake]

I thought you were only eligible if you were on low income and in receipt of benefits?

[Shouldbeworkingnotreadingtalk]

@crimsonlake .... absolutely not income assessed.
£5k is for everyone. (Well, per House, a couple can't claim two lots)
It's an "upto figure" - Government pays 66% of the work, so to get the whole £5k your work needs to be around £7k in total. (Ish).
For upto £10k with 100% government paid - then you need to be on benefits.
It's incredibly easy to get it - but depends if you need any of the improvements it covers. It doesn't cover everything - mainly around heating a home or keeping it warm. It doesn't cover solar panels, but it does cover solar thermal.