AB Energy Centre

Government Green Homes Grant – What does that mean for you?

Posted on September 30, 2020. Category News

The Government Green Homes Grant has now been released

“If you’re a homeowner or residential landlord you can apply for a Green Homes Grant voucher towards the cost of installing energy-efficient improvements to your home.

Improvements could include insulating your home to reduce your energy use or installing low-carbon heating to lower the amount of carbon dioxide your home produces.”

How much you can get?

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.

Eligibility

You may be eligible if you live in England and:

you own your own home (including long-leaseholders and shared ownership)
you own your own park home on a residential site (including Gypsy and Traveller sites)
you’re a residential landlord in the private or social rented sector (including local authorities and housing associations)

You cannot get the Green Homes Grant for newly built homes which have not been previously occupied.

Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)

You can claim both the Domestic RHI and the Green Home Grant for a renewable heat installation. You must claim the Green Home Grant voucher first and then notify Ofgem that you have used it when you apply for accreditation to the Domestic RHI. The Green Homes Grant will then be deducted from your Domestic RHI payments.

If you’re only claiming the Green Homes Grant voucher for energy efficiency measures you do not need to notify Ofgem.

Energy efficiency standard

Most private rented properties must have a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E under the minimum energy efficiency standard.

If you’re applying for a voucher for a private rented sector property, you need to either provide:

proof that you have met this standard
proof of an exemption

What the voucher can be used for?

We recommend that you seek advice on how best to improve the energy efficiency and heating in your home.

You can use the Simple Energy Advice (SEA) website to check what energy efficiency or low carbon heating improvements may be best suited to your home.

You can also seek advice from your property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) or from a retrofit assessor. You cannot claim for the cost of any advice as part of your grant.