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Your questions about the Green Homes Grant have been answered by the experts from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Energy Saving Trust

134 replies

LucyBMumsnet · 02/11/2020 12:09

With the chilly winter months fast approaching, many people are thinking about how they can make their homes warmer and help reduce their heating bills. Applications are now open for the Green Homes Grant, where homeowners can apply for a voucher towards the cost of installing energy efficient improvements to their home. We’ve partnered with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and Energy Saving Trust (EST) to bring the experts to you, to answer any burning questions you may have about the Green Homes Grant.

Here’s what BEIS has to say: “Homeowners can wrap their homes up this winter and save money on bills with a Green Homes Grant. Vouchers to help cover the cost of energy-saving home improvements are available for householders and landlords under the government's new scheme. Up to £5,000 can be claimed by homeowners and low-income households could receive £10,000.

Ben Golding, Director of Energy Efficiency and Local at BEIS, and Laura McGadie, Group Head of Energy at EST, are the dedicated experts who will be online to answer your questions, whether these are on how to apply for vouchers, or about which improvements come under the scheme."

Want to know more about Ben and Laura? Find some information on the experts below:

Ben Golding - Director of Energy Efficiency and Local at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
“Ben is responsible for leading the government's work on energy efficiency across the residential, business, industry and public sectors in support of the ambition to achieve net zero by 2050, as well as the government's approach to tackling fuel poverty. Ben has over 15 years’ experience in government, the majority of it working on energy and climate policy, as well as having spent time in the energy industry as Director of External Policy for an international renewable electricity developer. Prior to his current role, Ben was previously head of core strategy and carbon budgets at the Department of Energy and Climate Change and has worked across a range of government policies from childcare to family law, before moving to work on energy policy.”

Laura McGadie - Group Head of Energy at Energy Saving Trust
“With more than 25 years' experience as a manager in the domestic energy advice field, Laura leads and develops the energy advice and renewables services across the UK, including the Scottish Government’s Home Energy Scotland advice network and the Welsh Government’s Nest fuel poverty scheme. With a particular focus on high-quality advice delivery, Laura has driven ongoing improvements to achieve customer satisfaction levels of over 97%.”

Perhaps you would like to know more about how to apply and who is eligible to apply for the Green Homes Grant? Or maybe you’d like to know what improvements you can make with the voucher? Whatever your question may be, let BEIS and EST know by posting on this thread. Their expert will be back between the 11th and 13th of November to join the conversation and answer 15 of the questions raised.

All who post a question (regardless of whether it is answered or not) will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £100 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!

MNHQ

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Your questions about the Green Homes Grant have been answered by the experts from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Energy Saving Trust
Your questions about the Green Homes Grant have been answered by the experts from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Energy Saving Trust
OP posts:
Butterer · 03/11/2020 20:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

40somethingJBJ · 03/11/2020 20:36

According to the website, I could get a new boiler for a “contribution” of £2,600 and could use my local plumber, who is on the list of registered tradesmen (and knew nothing about the scheme). He quoted me direct and it came in at £2,300, so £300 cheaper than the grant price. Guess which one I went with?! How is this saving money and helping homeowners out?

BraayTigger · 03/11/2020 20:53

Can I use the grant to install a composite new door with better insulation?

sharond101 · 03/11/2020 21:01

whats the most impact i can make with the grant?

mrshoho · 03/11/2020 21:03

can you just have a new front door installed and qualify for the grant? Asking for my parents who really need a more secure and energy efficient new door.

genogle · 03/11/2020 21:14

Hi there
I live in an ex-council flat so there is a very old boiler which would need to be replaced. What is sought of replacement is covered? Also our attic isn’t insulated but that means the entire council estate building isn’t insulated either. How do owners within council estates make these green changes?
Thank you.

genogle · 03/11/2020 21:15

Hi there
I live in an ex-council flat so there is a very old boiler which would need to be replaced. What is sought of replacement is covered? Also our attic isn’t insulated but that means the entire council estate building isn’t insulated either. How do owners within council estates make these green changes?
Thank you.

Karanew · 03/11/2020 21:25

Why is there no option for replacing a boiler?

Karanew · 03/11/2020 21:26

Why is there no option for boiler replacement?

fishnships · 03/11/2020 21:35

Does a garage with single glazing qualify? It is really cold in winter!

FlowerandBloom · 03/11/2020 22:06

Hmmm what could I add to my 4 year old new build? I’m always looking to make it more efficient but what would you advise is best?

ArchbishopOfBanterbury · 03/11/2020 22:30

Our double glazing was installed in the 80s and is draughty and has water in the layers. There are two wooden single glazed windows still too.

As glazing is a secondary measure, am I right that a grant wouldn't apply for replacing existing, inefficient double glazing?

We've already replaced our own boiler and insulated the loft. The walls aren't suitable for cavity wall insulation.

oldmotherriley · 03/11/2020 22:30

Karanew Tue 03-Nov-20 21:26:37
Why is there no option for boiler replacement?

Probably because installation of gas boilers in new properties will be illegal after 2025, and they will then be phased out in existing properties, by a date yet to be determined.

Sarjest · 03/11/2020 22:34

I researched the scheme as much as possible when it was announced and contacted two loft insulation suppliers. Both have refused to come out as they have been given little information on the standards and measures expected. Will this scheme be expanded at a later date as boards on the subject are rife with complaints about the availability of local suppliers and the challenges in getting surveyors out? Similar European schemes dwarf this one. Thank you.

oldmotherriley · 03/11/2020 22:35

Karanew Tue 03-Nov-20 21:25:09
Why is there no option for replacing a boiler ?

Possibly because installation of gas boilers in new properties will be illegal after 2025; and they will be phased out in existing properties (to meet climate change targets) thereafter. So, hardly makes sense for the government to be paying people to install new ones.

nzborn · 03/11/2020 22:37

Hi l live in a grade 2 property,l want double glazed windows this will involve replacing old 1970 windows with Georgian looking ones is this possible.

thanks

nzborn · 03/11/2020 22:42

Hi l live in a grade 2 property,l want double glazedd windows this will involve replacing old 1970 windows with Georgian looking ones is this possible.

thanks

grannysbay · 03/11/2020 22:49

The house I live in has many issues, caused by cavity wall insulation, installed under the last Government energy initiative. I will probably have to pay many thousands to have it removed as CIGA are not easy to deal with. Perhaps some of this money should have been allocated to the many householders who are trying to right the damage caused by CWI.

MrsFrTedCrilly · 03/11/2020 22:51

Whats the average timescale of receiving a grant by after work has been completed?

grannysbay · 03/11/2020 22:52

The house I live in has many issues, caused by cavity wall insulation, installed under the last Government energy initiative. I will probably have to pay many thousands to have it removed as CIGA are not easy to deal with. Perhaps some of this money should have been allocated to the many householders who are trying to right the damage caused by CWI.

Tangledtresses · 03/11/2020 22:53

Have you tried to use the website to find a local supplier or installer?

They don't seem to be particularly reputable firms...

I'd love more loft insulation
And to replace the old 70's windows, but after reeling through the website for hours I just couldn't find anyone who I thought
A: knew what they were doing
B: had any reviews online or even a website!

So I'd like to know why good reputable companies are not signing up?

MrsFrTedCrilly · 03/11/2020 22:55

Whats the average timescale of receiving a grant by after work has been completed?

FingersCrossedForAllOfUs · 03/11/2020 23:01

We need double glazing but it looks like we can’t apply for a grant because this is classed as secondary work and we would need to have something installed from the primary list but we don’t need any of the primary work done. This is unfair.
Will the scheme be reconsidered because there are so many anomalies like this that seem unfair?

Enough4me · 03/11/2020 23:08

My boiler is around 12 years old but the scheme won't help me replace it, but suggests loft insulation which I don't need.

It's all rhetoric hot air and no real help with this scheme.

Sid98 · 04/11/2020 02:08

How long is the application process