Green homes grant launched

The launch of the Green Homes Grant Scheme is a first step to creating greener, more energy efficient homes but a long term strategy is needed if the country’s 28 million homes are to be retrofitted, says the Federation of Master Builders.

Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said: “The launch of the Green Homes Grant Scheme represents the first step in the ‘build back greener’ agenda but the Government needs to commit to a long-term retrofit strategy if it is serious about achieving its zero carbon target by 2050. Eighty-five per cent of our existing homes will still be standing in 2050 which is why it is very important that we makes our homes more energy efficient.”

“The FMB is working with organisations across the construction sector to develop an energy and water efficiency retrofit strategy for the nation’s homes,” Berry said. “The coalition – formed under the umbrella of the Construction Leadership Council – stands ready to provide an oven-ready blueprint for Government to take forward.”

Homeowners in England, including landlords, can get up to £5,000 to pay up to two-thirds of the cost of energy saving measures like insulation. Low income households can get 100 per cent of the costs of work covered up to £10,000.

Payments in the form of vouchers must be used to install at least one primary home insulation or low carbon heating measure. If one of these is installed, the voucher can be used to help cover secondary measures costs up to the value of the primary installations.

Primary measures include insulation for:

  • solid walls
  • under floors
  • cavity walls
  • lofts
  • flat or pitched roofs
  • rooms in roof
  • insulating a park home.

Low carbon heat measures, including heat pump, solar thermal and biomass boiler installations are also considered primary measures.

Secondary measures include:

  • Draught proofing
  • Double/triple glazing (where replacing single glazed windows)
  • Secondary glazing (in addition to single glazing)
  • External energy efficient doors (replacing single-glazed or solid doors installed before 2002)
  • Heating controls
  • Hot water tank thermostats and insulation.
30 September 2020