THE Green Home Energy Grant scheme opens for applications on Wednesday meaning Brits can soon insulate their homes for less.
Under the scheme, which was unveiled by chancellor Rishi Sunak in July, homeowners can get a voucher worth up to £5,000 – or £10,000 if they’re a low-income household – to help install eco-friendly energy measures.
The idea is most homeowners will cover the cost of one third of the measures, with the government footing at least two thirds of the bill.
So a householder would pay £1,320 of a £4,000 bill for cavity wall and floor insulation for a semi-detached or end-terrace house, for example, while the government would pay the rest of the bill, costing £2,680.
Low income households can, however, receive vouchers covering 100% of the cost of the improvements, up to a maximum of £10,000.
The scheme covers everything from underfloor insulation to draught-proofing and homeowners and landlords, either social or private, in England can apply.
Efficiency measures should then translate into savings on your energy bill as you should be using less gas and electricity to heat your home if it’s better insulated.
New data revealed exclusively to The Sun by property portal Zoopla showed that 200,000 homes in England alone have an EPC rating of G – the lowest score on the energy efficiency scale.
Meanwhile, data from the 2018 to 2019 England Housing Survey says 4% of homes in England are rated as F or G.
But business and energy secretary Alok Sharma says the scheme will mean “hundreds of pounds off energy bills every year” while it will support 100,000 jobs in green construction.
Tom Parker, consumer spokesman at Zoopla added: “As we become more environmentally conscious, The Green Homes Energy Grant is a great way to lessen our impact on the planet by improving the energy efficiency of our homes, while saving money on energy bills.
“The good news is there is a host of options that homeowners and landlords can implement that are eligible for a grant – from improved insulation to secondary or double glazing, through to biomass boilers and air source heat pumps. ”
Source: The Sun