Roger's Rants - Warming Homes Grant

Green Government Help for Owned Homes

You may have heard of a new initiative opening up wherein the government are helping you make your home more energy efficient. Unfortunately this doesn’t include those who rent, but does include landlords.

So what is the Green Homes Grant Scheme?

In a nutshell, the government will provide a voucher worth up to £5,000 or £10,000 to help cover the cost of making energy efficient improvements to your home.

So, this could include helping out with the costs of solar panels, draft-proofing and insulation.

You don’t have to receive benefits to be eligible. However, the voucher must be used by March (2021).

One of our office workers entered her details into their government tool to see what help she might get.

Once she’d entered all her details, you then select from the list of recommendations.

‘Some were really expensive,’ she commented, ‘that I wouldn’t go for even with government help, as I couldn’t cover my half of the cost e.g. wall insulation.’

‘But for others, like loft insulation, I’d be happy to look into this further. My house is cold!’

At the end of the tool she was able to download her plan. Then the homework kicks in – you need to get 3 quotes from traders for the recommended work. Then go back to the government to use these quotes to apply.

‘The plan they give you is quite good’, she continued, ‘as it says how much you might save in a year with the new measures, and gives you information about whether you should have it or not.’

It's aim is to bring down heating costs down and presumably meet Britain's campaign to go green (and target to go carbon neutral eventually). But we will see how effective and useful the scheme is as time goes on.

You can have a go yourself using the gov website – scroll down to ‘how to apply’

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-the-green-homes-grant-scheme

Already gone through the scheme? Let us know how you got on: campaigns@wyreforestcab.cabnet.org.uk

Did You Know?

As we head into winter, heating bills may be on the rise. But you might be able to get help with your electric if you’re on benefits or low income. Warm Home Discount is a grant from the government via your energy supplier, and can give you credit of £140 from now to March. Not all energy suppliers do it, and it’s first come first serve, so to apply go to your supplier’s website or give them a call