The Green Homes Grant was launched with a great fanfare in August 2020. The Government’s scheme is designed to boost the green construction sector and contribute to the country’s 2050 net-zero carbon target.
Homeowners in England can apply for vouchers to help fund up to two-thirds of the cost of energy-efficient improvements to their home – such as low-carbon heating systems, insulation or double glazing to replace single glazing. For most households, up to £5,000 is available and for households on lower incomes or benefits, up to £10,000 is available to cover the whole cost of the measures.
The scheme has certainly not been without its teething problems but for registered installers, it provides an opportunity to grow their business whilst the £2 billion funding is still available. The Government has recently extended the deadline for work to be completed – from March 2021 to March 2022 – this will help to allay some of the initial concerns about the scheme.
Another major criticism of the Green Homes Grant was that there aren’t enough registered installers available to carry out the work in the timeframe allocated. The Government has confirmed that more installers are being added all the time and the ‘find me an installer’ tool on the Green Homes website has been improved.
I’m an installer, how do I get registered?
Here’s the process to follow:
- As an energy efficiency installer, you need PAS2030 accreditation and then register with TrustMark. You will also need to be MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) certified to install heat pumps and solar thermal installations
- Register to be a Green Homes Grant installer at gov.uk
- Once your details are available, you can provide quotes for work
- When your quote is accepted and the customer has received their voucher, work can begin
- On completion of the work and receipt of the customer’s contribution, you will be paid the voucher amount within five working days
I’m a landlord, can I apply for the Green Homes Grant?
Residential landlords can apply for a voucher towards the cost of the energy-efficient measures but they are not eligible for the low-income support option. If the rental property has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), the rating must be an E as the minimum energy efficiency standard. Proof of this standard or proof of exemption is required to be accepted for the grant.
What energy-efficient improvements are covered?
The Green Homes vouchers cover labour, VAT and materials but not the cost of obtaining the quotes. Homes must have an element of ‘primary’ measures installed, these include:
- External, internal or cavity wall insulation
- Underfloor insulation (solid or suspended)
- Loft, flat roof or room-in-roof insulation
- Air or ground source heat pump, biomass boiler or solar thermal
With at least one primary measure, the voucher can then be used for any ‘secondary’ measures, as long as the value doesn’t exceed the cost of the primary measures. Secondary measures include:
- Double or triple glazing, draught-proofing, secondary glazing if replacing single glazing
- Energy-efficient doors
- Hot water tank thermostat, insulation and heating controls
The installation work can only be carried out by a registered installer, not the householder or a family member, so there will definitely be opportunities for installers to take advantage of the scheme.
As TrustMark stresses, “never has the opportunity for businesses to develop, grow and support the delivery of government initiatives such as the Green Homes Grant been so great.” So as an installer, are you ready to take on the challenge and potential rewards of this scheme?
Further guidance on the Green Homes Grant for tradespeople and homeowners can be found here.
