Go green in 2021 with a grant

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Launched in September 2020, the Green Homes Grant is a government scheme that allows homeowners in England to claim vouchers of up to £5,000 to help pay for energy-saving home improvements. Examples include insulating your home to reduce your energy use or installing low-carbon heating to lower the amount of carbon dioxide your home produces.

For most, the vouchers will be worth around two-thirds of the cost of energy-efficiency improvements, but fuel-poor and low-income households can qualify for grants of up to £10,000 to cover the entire cost. The initiative is a £2bn investment as part of a wider government plan to cut carbon emissions. In November, the existing 31 March 2021 deadline for completion of qualifying improvements was extended until 31 March 2022.

How many will benefit?

According to a poll1, 62% of homeowners have expressed interest in the scheme, yet a limited number of vouchers are available. Those with poor energy efficiency measures in their property are more likely (66%) to be very or fairly interested in the scheme, although more than half of those who own or rent one of these inefficient homes said they hadn’t heard of the grant. The scheme is only open to homes in England, but those living in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland can take advantage of other schemes that offer financial support towards making homes more energy efficient.

Scams warning

Additionally, consumers are being warned to watch out for scams, following reports that some homeowners had received calls, emails and texts telling them that they were eligible for the grant just days after the new scheme was announced by the government. Some scams have also claimed to offer specific energy-saving measures such as insulation. Scams can be reported to Action Fraud online or by phone, and you can also contact us for guidance.

1Energy and Climate Unit and YouGov, 2020

As a mortgage is secured against your home or property, it could be repossessed if you do not keep up mortgage repayments.

About the author 

The Barlow Irvin Team

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