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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:
lockeddownandcrazy · 11/11/2020 18:54

can you use it on external insulation - ie under render - we have no cavity walls

LittleTreasure · 12/11/2020 09:13

Too complicated, just too... difficult and uncertain to negotiate. I am poor and need double glazing. But I would have to possibly ? pay for something I don't want (roof insulation) and can't afford in order to possibly get double glazing done by potential cowboy if I'm lucky within the tight timeframe???? You can't just apply for double glazing alone. Count me out. I looked at this - because of people making out it was simple and straightforward ( "Homeowners can wrap their homes up this winter " REALLY!!) and just switched off because as soon as you get to the detail it's barrier after barrier.

GreenHomesGrantExperts · 12/11/2020 12:00

@BristolMum96

Do you have to be in receipt of benefits to be eligible ?
Hi @BristolMum96, in short, no, you do not have to claim benefits to be eligible for the Green Homes Grant. If you are a homeowner or residential landlord in England you are potentially eligible for the scheme. Vouchers will cover two-thirds of the cost of eligible improvements, up to a maximum government contribution of £5,000. If you, or someone in your household, receive certain benefits you may be eligible for a voucher covering 100% of the cost of the improvements. The maximum value of the voucher is £10,000. To check what level of support you can claim please visit gov.uk/check-eligible-green-homes-grant

-Laura

GreenHomesGrantExperts · 12/11/2020 12:05

@amesn

Can the grant be used in conjunction with the renewable heat incentive?
Thanks very much for the question, @amesn.

Yes, it can, but we'll adjust the total you receive through the Renewable Heat Incentive if you're using both. The grant helps pay for the upfront cost, and the Renewable Heat Incentive is paid out over time. So the support you get from the Green Homes Grant will be deducted from what you receive over time from the Renewable Heat Incentive. No need to worry about the amounts - it'll be calculated and adjusted for you. You can find more detail at www.ofgem.gov.uk/key-term-explained/grants

-Ben

GreenHomesGrantExperts · 12/11/2020 12:07

@amesn

Can the grant be used in conjunction with the renewable heat incentive?
An interesting question, @amesn. To follow on from Ben's response, you could claim renewable heat incentive (RHI) payments for a heating system such as a heat pump. For more information on heat pumps and renewable heat sources visit energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/what-type-of-renewable-energy-is-right-for-me/

-Laura

GreenHomesGrantExperts · 12/11/2020 12:12

@MrsJamin

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.
Thanks for the question @MrsJamin.

We completely recognise that people will be concerned about the impact of new national restrictions on when they can get work done under the scheme. The restrictions currently in place don't prevent work being done under the Green Homes Grant scheme, so long as Covid secure guidance is followed by installers. And if you want to minimise the amount of contact, most installers should be able to give you a quote remotely based on looking at the property either via a video call or at good quality photos.

-Ben

GreenHomesGrantExperts · 12/11/2020 12:17

@Sid98

How long is the application process
Hi @Sid98. Not long at all. You can check your eligibility at greenhomesgrant.campaign.gov.uk and then it's just a simple online form to submit the application. You'll just need to have a quote for the work you want carried out, and the Trustmark registration number of the installer you've chosen (which your installer will be able to give you), to include in the application.

-Ben

GreenHomesGrantExperts · 12/11/2020 12:22

@sharond101

whats the most impact i can make with the grant?
Great question, @sharond101. If you're thinking about impact on the environment, all of the eligible measures will help, by reducing the amount of energy you use and by switching to lower carbon energy. Big building fabric changes, like insulation or switching from a boiler to low carbon heating, will typically have the biggest impact, but anything you do under the grant will help.

-Ben

GreenHomesGrantExperts · 12/11/2020 12:24

@sharond101

whats the most impact i can make with the grant?
As Ben says, this is a great question @sharond101.

The potential savings you can achieve vary depending on your home's current energy efficiency level. The effect of installing the same measure in two different homes may vary considerably. You can visit greenhomesgrant.campaign.gov.uk to build your personalised plan. Energy Saving Trust offers information on what eligible measures the GHG vouchers cover and will make the most impact on your home energy efficiency. Visit energysavingtrust.org.uk/energy-at-home/

-Laura

Jroseforever · 12/11/2020 15:50

Your response to how long

I think we are not interested in when voucher is actually received rather than the application process

Jroseforever · 12/11/2020 15:50

more interested

RinderTinderNotRinderGrinder · 12/11/2020 16:25

Will these grants be available outside of England at any point?

Bunnyfuller · 12/11/2020 19:33

From what Martin Lewis MSE expert directs you to, unless you are on benefits AND below a specific income you will NOT qualify.

The house we’re buying has a 15 year old boiler but we’re ineligible for a grant due to not being on benefits or lower income.

It’s not really a ‘Green Grant’ so much as a help to those on limited incomes (which is quite shocking from Tories!). This is definitely not an across the board incentive to become more green.

herecomesthsun · 13/11/2020 08:29

We are looking for external wall insulation. However, we only gave 1 supplier in our area (who hasn´t got back to me yet) so how can I get 3 quotes?

GreenHomesGrantExperts · 13/11/2020 12:00

@Cosmia

I'd love to leverage this but the site tells me that nobody is available in my area for most of the things needed in my house - what can I do?
Hi @Cosmia. We're working hard with industry to get more installers signed up, and more are registering every day, so keep checking back. But it's also worth giving some of the companies listed on the site a call. Quite a few operate at national scale, so even though their office address might be a fair way from you, they might well have installers able to operate in your area.

-Ben

GreenHomesGrantExperts · 13/11/2020 12:05

@lovemyflipflops

Would I be able to select my company to provide the work to my home, or would they be on a government approved list (with all of the appropriate checks I would require so I have assurance I would have a trusted provider carrying out work on my home)
Hi @lovemyflipflops,

Yes, you can choose the company, but they will need to be a Green Homes Grant registered installer, which gives you the reassurance that they have the right training and expertise, and are signed up to the customer protections and guarantees you'd expect. You can find the details of registered firms in your area through the greenhomesgrant.campaign.gov.uk website.

-Ben

GreenHomesGrantExperts · 13/11/2020 12:10

@Montydoo

Do I need a survey on my home to see if it suitable ? meaning I may be turned down (LIve in a 18th Century house - not listed.)
Hi @Montydoo. The Green Homes Grant scheme itself doesn't require a survey. You just need the property details and a quote from a Green Homes Grant registered installer. But you will want to make sure you work with your chosen installer to ensure that the measures you want to install are done in a way that's suitable for your property.

-Ben

GreenHomesGrantExperts · 13/11/2020 12:15

@frazzledandcaffeinated

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.
Thanks for the question @frazzledandcaffeinated.

The application from the scheme has to come from the homeowner, but that can be the landlord in the case of rented accommodation, so it's certainly worth talking to yours about the scheme. Landlords will be aware that the Government has now introduced minimum energy efficiency standards for rented properties, and we're currently consulting on raising those, to help save carbon and save tenants money on their bills, so it's in your landlord's interest to take advantage of the voucher scheme ahead of those standards coming into force.

-Ben

GreenHomesGrantExperts · 13/11/2020 12:17

@frazzledandcaffeinated

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.
Hi @frazzledandcaffeinated, thanks for your question. Following on from Ben's response, the Energy Company Obligation scheme (ECO) may be able to offer advice and support relevant to your needs. You can visit www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-programmes/eco to find out more.

-Laura

GreenHomesGrantExperts · 13/11/2020 12:22

@MrsFrTedCrilly

Whats the average timescale of receiving a grant by after work has been completed?
Hi @MrsFrTedCrilly. Once you've received the voucher and the work is completed and validated, we aim in most cases to process the grant funding within five working days.

-Ben

herecomesthsun · 13/11/2020 12:39

it's also worth giving some of the companies listed on the site a call. Quite a few operate at national scale, so even though their office address might be a fair way from you, they might well have installers able to operate in your area.

The government site only seemed to show companies less than 30 miles from us?

Bunnyfuller · 13/11/2020 18:27

Notice no response to my comment!

Martin gives the details (and appropriate links) here:

www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/green-homes-grant/

hvnamechange2000 · 15/11/2020 10:50

Brilliant I didn't know about this. How do i apply?

mellicauli · 17/11/2020 18:13

The savings just don’t seem very wonderful...so invest £5000 to save £300 a year. That’s 15 years for it to pay for itself.

And the grant looks like a real balls ache to apply for. And you know the kind of people who do this will just rip you off. And leave your home in a mess.

Sorry but I think I’d be better off buying a few really nice jumpers. Why can’t I use my government grant for that instead?

MrsJamin · 20/11/2020 12:04

FYI everyone the green homes grant deadline has been extended - www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/11/green-homes-grant-extended-year/