Two-thirds of UK households fail to meet long-term efficiency targets, meaning that Brits are spending more on energy bills whilst unknowingly raising their carbon footprint.
The BBC has recently revealed that up to 12 million properties fall below the C grade on Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), which are graded A-G.
With applications now open for the green homes grant, homeowners and landlords based in England can apply for vouchers to install energy efficiency improvements – with a government contribution of £5,000 making it a cost-effective way to update your property.
Have you considered applying this October?
If you’re a homeowner or residential landlord, you now have the opportunity to make crucial eco-friendly changes at a fraction of the price.
In total, £2 billion has been allocated to the green homes grant, with participants having until 31st March 2021 to redeem their vouchers and receive future annual savings of £600 – on average – from their eco-friendly home improvements.
What can the vouchers be spent on?
With the vouchers covering at least two-thirds of the cost – up to £5,000 per household – there are a wide number of energy-saving features to choose from, including at least one of these primary measures:
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Insulation
- solid wall
- under floor
- cavity wall
- loft
- flat roof
- room in roof
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Low-carbon heating
- air source heat pump
- ground source heat pump
- solar thermal (liquid filled flat plate or evacuated tube collectors)
- biomass boilers
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It’s important to bear in mind that there are certain conditions determining how your vouchers can be used.
For instance, you can only use the grant for the installation of new measures that weren’t previously there, not to replace or repair existing insulation or low-carbon heating features.
Lower income households can apply for a higher grant value, up to £10,000. Whilst landlords are limited to receiving the base £5,000.
For more information or to apply for the grant, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/check-eligible-green-homes-grant