Did you know that an excess of 9700 deaths is caused due to the negative health effects of living in cold housing? This shocking statistic stresses the importance of having a well-insulated home.
The government has recognised that there is indeed a problem in the UK. This has led the government to pledge £2 billion to combat cold housing. This funding has allowed the government to introduce a new scheme called the Green Homes Grant.
What is the green home grant?
The green homes grant is a government scheme to help homeowners and landlords upgrade their homes. These upgrades must include energy-saving features such as insulation or double glazing.
The purpose of this is to reduce energy usage and therefore improve the energy efficiency of a property. This lowers the costs needed to heat a home and therefore could lower the deaths per year. The green homes grant scheme is designed to help provide warm housing to those in need.
What does the green home grant provide?
The scheme will allow both homeowners and landlords access to vouchers, which are worth up to £10,000. These vouchers can be used to go towards energy-efficient building work such as installing double glazing or insulation.
The majority of homeowners and landlords who are accepted will receive vouchers worth £5000. Those on lower-income brackets will receive up to £10,000 but this is dependant on the category that the applicant falls under.
What insulation work is covered by the green home grant?
The green home grant scheme covers double glazing as well as insulation works. At Trade Insulations, we sell insulation products as well as conduct insulation works. Vouchers can be used to cover the following:
- Solid wall, under-floor, cavity wall, or roof insulation
- Air or ground source heat pump
- Solar thermal
Can you still apply for the grant if you already have insulation?
You may still be eligible for the grant even if you have some level of insulation in your house. It is worth checking with the government to see if you pass the criteria.
Am I eligible for the green home grant?
The treasury have not released the exact details in terms of eligibility criteria, however, we suspect that it will cover all homeowners and landlords who require a more energy-efficient property. Low-income homeowners or landlords may be eligible for up to £10,000 in vouchers whereas those not classed as low income will have a maximum of £5000 in vouchers. Those not classed as low income can only use the vouchers to cover 2/3 of the total cost whereas low-income earners can cover 100% of the costs.
How do I apply for the green home grant?
Applications for the scheme will open in September. The green homes grant application is to made online. First, you will need a quote from an approved installer. Applications are to be made on the Simple Energy Advice website