What is the Green Homes Grant and can I get secondary glazing?

Update 27.3.2021 - The Green Homes Grant scheme has been withdrawn by the UK government, having only launched in September 2020. Those who have had their applications for vouchers under the scheme accepted will receive any money owed, but no new applications will be accepted as of April 1st 2021. Despite the cancellation of the scheme, Selectaglaze are still keen to assess any building projects to help reduce emissions and energy bills. Contact us now with your requirements for advice on treatments and an estimate. The hot topic of 2020, pre-Covid was sustainability and the decarbonisation of our homes. With approximately 24 million homes in England, two-thirds will need retrofitting by 2050, which equates to around 11,000 homes a week and will only be met should work start from the beginning of 2021.  There is no time to lose, but the stumbling block for many homeowners has been the cost associated with making energy improvements to their properties. Furthermore, many of those who are lucky enough to live in a Listed property don’t feel they can do enough to make their homes more carbon neutral, without harming the heritage value and building fabric. But any building, old or new can become more energy efficient once there is a clear understanding of how the building was designed, the way it was used and its location. What measures are included to apply for the Green Homes Grant 2020? Applications can be sent from now for the Green Home Grant Scheme (image: Shutterstock/ponsulak) As an incentive to help push homeowners to consider energy saving, the Government unveiled the ambitious Green Homes Grant scheme which was launched in England on September 30th 2020. Homeowners can receive vouchers up to £5,000 (which they don’t need to pay back) to assist in energy saving home improvements. However, if you are a low-income household, you can claim 100% of the entire cost up to £10,000. Local authorities will also be making support available for low income households in their local area through the Green Homes Grant: Local Authority Delivery. Energy efficient improvements are split into two types: primary and secondary improvements. This work can only be new, or a top up of what you have already. It cannot be a replacement of an existing improvement.
  • Primary measures include two categories: insulation (e.g. cavity or floor) and low carbon heat (e.g. biomass boiler, hybrid heat pump)
If you attain and qualify for one of the primary measures, it is only then that you can get a voucher up to the same amount for a secondary improvement.
  • Secondary measures are broken down into two categories – windows/and doors (e.g. draught proofing, secondary glazing) or heating controls and insulation (hot water tanks, smart heating controls
The primary and secondary energy efficiency measures included in the Green Homes Grant 2020 - secondary glazing; a secondary measure A full breakdown of what is covered by the Green Homes Grant Example: You live in a Grade II Listed cottage and you are looking to install cavity wall insulation and secondary glazing to improve energy efficiency in your property. As a cavity wall insulation is a primary measure under the Green Homes Scheme, you will qualify for the grant. The amount obtained towards the cost of secondary measures cannot exceed the amount you get for primary measures. This example could cost the following: The cavity wall insulation quote comes in at £600, which will qualify them for a £400 voucher towards the work (ie two thirds). A further £400 can then be received towards secondary measures, such as installing secondary glazing to improve the thermal performance of the single glazing. The companies embarking on the primary and secondary installs must be registered with MCS Certified or TrustMark. If the value of the works is deemed inaccurate, you will be asked to supply another quote for comparison/consideration. Should your application be successful, you will be sent vouchers for both the primary and secondary measures. The Government is hoping people will take advantage of the scheme promptly as work must be completed in just 5 months’ time - by 31st March 2021. This could end up being highly frustrating for homeowners and tradespeople alike and it has already attracted cowboy traders/bogus companies attempting to capitalise on the potential lack of approved TrustMark/MCS registered tradespeople.  Mike Fairman, Chief Executive of Checkatrade, said: “We welcome this move from the Government to help bolster the trade economy through the promotion of energy saving home improvements and providing increased job opportunities throughout the winter months. However, we know that reputable tradespeople will often be booked many months ahead.” “Given the timeframe for redemption of the vouchers is 31 March, we share concerns with our tradespeople that this may not give homeowners enough time to benefit from the Grants and, likewise, our tradespeople enough of an opportunity to benefit from the Grant's use.” Furthermore, another concern is simply that demand could outweigh supply. A new set of polls by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit found that a quarter of their respondents are extremely interested in the grant. But those in poorer households are unaware of the scheme and the value it holds. The polling also presents that the areas with the poorest energy efficiency, are most interested in the grant e.g the West Midlands, East England and Yorkshire. Green Homes Grant - graph showing interest and demand around the UK to implement energy saving measures via the scheme ECIU – Green Homes Grant polling: policy implications of a predicted surge in demand - 2020  The ECIU also made a good point about how long the scheme is running for, given the positive figures they derived from their polls. We are in the midst of a pandemic, where most are not comfortable with allowing people in their homes, so extending the Green Homes Grant would definitely benefit all parties. UPDATE: The Prime Minister has announced an extension of the Green Homes Grant until the end of March 2022, which will receive an additional £1 billion of funding. The extension was announced on the 18th November 2020 as part of his new Ten Point Plan, designed to help the country build back greener and help the UK reach its target for net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Check if you’re eligible for a Green Homes Grant to improve energy efficiency in your home.

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