Green Homes Grant Launched

As you may have already read in the press the GHG “Green Homes Grant” scheme has now been launched and eligible homeowners can start applying for the vouchers. Below is a list of updated information on the scheme. We do envisage that further information will be available over the coming weeks and we will provide updates when we can:

• Air Source Heat Pumps are included within the scheme.
• The grant is for £5,000 or 2/3 of the cost of installation (whichever is lesser). This side of the Green Homes Grant is known as the general scheme
• Lower Income properties can receive a grant of £10,000 or 100% of the cost of the installation (whichever is lesser). This side of the Green Homes Grant is known as the low-income scheme.
• The homeowner can apply for the GHG, and then apply for the domestic renewable heat incentive (DRHI)
• The GHG will be deducted from the DRHI the homeowner is awarded, effectively “up-fronting” £5k of the DRHI for the general scheme and £10k for the low income scheme.  
• All heat pump installers must be registered with MCS in order to carry out work under the Green Homes Grant.
• Homeowners can log on to the Simple Energy Advice Scheme Website where they can fill in an online questionnaire and then will be suggested home improvements, such as air source heat pumps and Underfloor heating/radiators and domestic hot water cylinder working in conjunction with the heat pump.
• Whilst the SEA website asks whether an EPC is available for the homeowners property, it looks like there is no requirement when applying for the GHG voucher to confirm you have an EPC or the energy efficiency thereof. If you are a landlord however, you need to confirm the property achieves an EPC level E or above, or you have registered an exemption.
• GHG work cannot be completed by yourself, a member of your household or your immediate family.
• Hybrid heat pump systems (ones which use a heat pump in conjunction with a fossil fuel boiler) are eligible, but the heat pump and fossil fuel boiler MUST BE NEW 
• Vouchers are being issued as of now from 01/10/20
• All heat installations must be used for space heating and/or domestic hot water heating purposes. A heat installation must not be used for process heating, outdoor heating or heating swimming pools.
• GHG voucher covers Labour, Materials and VAT (Rate to be confirmed)
• For the general scheme, the following properties ARE eligible: 
  • All owner-occupied homes (including long-leaseholders, shared ownership) 
  • Landlords of private rented sector domestic properties 
  • Landlords of social sector domestic properties (including LA owned homes) 
  • Park homeowners (for residential sites including Traveller sites) 
• New build domestic properties ARE NOT eligible 
• For the low-income scheme, only owner-occupied properties and park homes are eligible. Households receiving income-based or disability benefits would be eligible for a fully-funded package of measures 
• Homeowners will qualify for the Green Home Grants low-income scheme if they receive at least one of the following benefits:
  • Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) 
  • Income-based Employment & Support Allowance (ESA) 
  • Income Support (IS) 
  • Pension Guarantee Credit 
  • Working Tax Credit (WTC) 
  • Child Tax Credits (CTC) 
  • Universal Credit (UC) 
  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA) 
  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) 
  • Attendance Allowance 
  • Carer’s Allowance 
  • Severe Disablement Allowance 
  • Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit 
  • Contribution-based Jobseekers allowance (JSA) 
  • Contribution-based Employment & Support Allowance (ESA) 
  • Housing benefit 

Please feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss this scheme in more detail and the requirements for your property.