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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:
Jroseforever · 04/11/2020 06:27

Is there any additional support for those in receipt of universal credit?

RuffleCrow · 04/11/2020 06:40

@oldmotherriley wha?? The scheme doesn't even offer any viable alternative to gas boilers for the average home! Ground source needs more space than most people have and air source is designed to connect up with gas boiler?!

TheEndisCummings · 04/11/2020 07:16

Is there any way that leaseholder in a council owned flat can take advantage of these grants?

aznorazizul · 04/11/2020 07:19

How do I know I eligibile

JulesJules · 04/11/2020 07:47

Are solar panels included?

elizaco · 04/11/2020 07:54

Is it just the house you reside in that is eligible? Or would you be able to get a grant on improvements to a holiday let?

MrsJamin · 04/11/2020 08:15

I'd like to know if the deadline for work to be finished will be extended now there is a second lockdown. It is such a ridiculously short window since it was announced to when work needs to be completed, it doesn't allow for any kind of contingency of time.

frazzledandcaffeinated · 04/11/2020 08:42

Is there anything for tenants? Some landlords don't care about their energy bills, but I certainly do as the person paying them. We would love to apply as our 2 bed flat (Victoria building) is very thermally inefficient and our bills have been sky high.

Buzzardbird · 04/11/2020 09:46

How do you stop companies from upping their prices so that only they benefit from the grant?

amesn · 04/11/2020 09:52

Can the grant be used in conjunction with the renewable heat incentive?

burwellmum · 04/11/2020 10:04

It isn't clear to me whether you have to be claiming benefits to claim the grant - do you?

AlohaMolly · 04/11/2020 11:33

I would like to know if there is likely to be any scheme set out for people that now find themselves working from home?

pushchairprincess · 04/11/2020 11:40

I really need new windows, they are the old double glazed type (beading on the outside) so I have the worry about being broken into, can I pick the style (top openers rather than side openers - other than the obligatory 'fire escape one'). Thanks

ailsasheldon · 04/11/2020 11:58

We live in a grade 2 listed property. Can we apply ?

collette0409 · 04/11/2020 12:26

I've been told there's nobody in my area that can do the work, I would like to have done.

How can I resolve this issue and apply for the Grant?

janemidg · 04/11/2020 16:53

Is this available in Wales too? I have a family member who does not claim any benefits but who lives on very little money (far less than any benefits would provide) and has a very old economy 7 heater/immersion heater and an old gas fire with no boiler or central heating . Would this be available to her?

ASKme · 04/11/2020 17:35

that is correct I am a Landlord and the NRLA did a talk on this grant and as you say it will not get off the drawing board because the manufacturers of all the things required can not cope and all the technicians are already inundated with requests and are all booked up for the next twelve months, it has been badly conceived

SlipperyLizard · 04/11/2020 17:37

How can homeowners avoid cowboys who might just want to make a quick buck out of the scheme?

fairydustandpixies · 04/11/2020 18:46

I'm in receipt of contributions based ESA and Council Tax reduction. Can I apply?

ThinkWittyThoughts · 04/11/2020 19:30

I know a lot of people who live in park homes - are these eligible? If not, why not?

oldmotherriley · 04/11/2020 19:57

www.gov.uk/green-deal-energy-saving-measures

Park homes are eligible says the website.

flowersanam · 05/11/2020 01:37

How long will it take

alwaysataldi · 05/11/2020 05:49

I have a short term tenancy and see myself wanting to buy in around 18 months, If I was to apply and receive this grant for the property (or would my landlord need to apply ?). would I be eligible to apply in a future 'owned' property - are there any checks done that would exclude future grant claims.

BarefootbyMoonlight · 05/11/2020 08:09

On the link it says its only applicable to England.

Will it be rolled out to Scotland, NI & Wales?

And will the issues highlighted upthread be addressed beforehand?

finemang · 05/11/2020 08:29

interested in more energy efficient roofing to our conservatory - would that be something a grant could be used for?