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TODAY'S OTHER NEWS

How does the government’s Green Homes Grant work?

With just a few weeks remaining until the opening of the Green Homes Grant, many buy-to-let landlords are preparing to take advantage of the initiative. 

Hundreds of thousands of property owners, including buy-to-let landlords, will be able to apply for vouchers of up to £5,000 for energy-saving home improvements, with the poorest getting up to £10,000, as part of plans unveiled by the government last month. 

The £2bn Green Homes Grant, revealed by chancellor Rishi Sunak, aims to boost the economy and help households become more energy efficient, with more than 600,000 homes eligible for the grant. 

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Matt Clemow, CEO of challenger energy brand Igloo Energy, said: “From September, homeowners in England will be able to get up to £10,000 worth of vouchers to make energy-saving improvements so your home is more energy efficient and cheaper to run. It’s a win-win situation for the environment and your wallet.  

“To access the Green Homes Grant, you’ll need to complete an online application form and get a quote from a listed supplier. Once your application has been approved, the government will give you your voucher and you’ll be able to start work.   

“Bear in mind though that for most of us, the grant won’t cover everything, and you will have to pay part of the costs. The voucher will normally pay for around two-thirds of the work, so expect to have to contribute a few thousand pounds. If you’re worried about the additional cost, check to see if you’re eligible to apply for more.”

The government has previously indicated that residential rental properties should be achieving an Energy Performance Certificate rating of D or better by 2025 and C or better by 2030, but what kind of things does the Green Homes Grant cover? 

Clemow continued: “The grant covers a wide number of improvements you can make. You’d be able to use the money for insulation, including wall, under-floor and roof insulation, low carbon heating technologies such as air source and ground source heat pumps, as well as solar thermal systems.   

“Once you’ve received the initial voucher, you can apply for an additional one which will contribute to extra energy efficient home improvements, such as double or triple glazing, energy efficient doors, heating controls such as thermostats, insulation for your hot water tank and draft proofing.

“Anyone who is a homeowner or landlord in England can apply as long as the property isn’t a recent new build. If you live in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland there are other options available to help you make these improvements.” 

As we are getting closer to winter, some property owners, including BTL landlords, are starting to think about what changes, if any, are required when it comes to heating control. 

Clemow added: “A smart thermostat is a great way to make sure you only use energy when you need to heat your home without compromising on comfort. It may also be time to consider if now is the right time to change your heating system altogether.”

Those of you thinking of getting a new boiler may wish to consider switching away from a fossil fuel heating system to something like an Air Source Heat Pump, according to Clemow. 

“These can be up to four times more efficient at making useful heat and have an immediate reduction on your carbon footprint as they use electricity from the grid, which is on average 36% renewable.” 

Want to comment on this story? If so...if any post is considered to victimise, harass, degrade or intimidate an individual or group of individuals on any basis, then the post may be deleted and the individual immediately banned from posting in future.

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    Past green deal grants have been a total waste of time, will this one be any different ? I won't be holding my breath.

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    Totally agree, Andrew.

    Quick answer to question:

    It doesn't!

     
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    The Government need to make this attractive for tradespeople and not bog them down with obstacles, otherwise the scheme will be a disaster like the green deal was. They need to talk to tradespeople and learn from passed mistakes that make schemes like this non starters.

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    if you want to learn, then surely the mistakes were in the "past" ? Otherwise, as you say, the mistakes were "passed", ie successful and therefore there is nothing to learn from them ?

     
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    Seb, will the government ever acknowledge that there were mistakes in the past, no it will be the same old waste of everyone's time yet again

     
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    Well, Andrew, I do agree with you... and I for one did not vote for Boris but unlike the Left-ards, I respect the Gov't of the day.

    and flip flopping, from Left to Right, every 8/12 years does little to keep systems in place... until COVID-19 or a banking crisis comes along... and then it's every man for himself ?

     
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    • 26 August 2020 20:05 PM

    One past success of Govt in improving housing conditions was when 40 odd years ago Govt gave grants for bathrooms etc.
    People were still using privies in the back garden!!

    If Govt would adopt a similar approach so grants for all the bring all housing stock up to EPC C status at least.


    Some grants would need to be more to achieve the same C status.
    So what!?
    It would result in usable stock for rent or OO.
    If grants of sufficient amount aren't offered then LL will have to sell off those properties where it isn't viable to improve to EPC C status.
    As soon as you start needing IWI or EWI that is the time to get rid of the property.
    It just isn't worth LL doing this.
    With a 100% grant it might be.
    But EPC regulations make many rental properties unlettable if grants aren't proffered.

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    Paul
    Surely the real solution is to abandon the loony moves to ban E and F rated properties from being rented? I have NEVER had any tenant ask for or query an EPC rating. This is yet another waste of public money and a sop to the greens who think jerry built "energy efficient" shacks are greener than solid Victorian properties which will significantly outlast them. How much energy is expended in building new builds and disposing of their rubble within the next 50 years?

     
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    I agree with Robert, rubbish developer built properties will possible last 50 yrs max, I own many Victorian properties 140 years old, 2 world wars and still standing, people love them, I love them, and they will still be standing in another 140 yrs.

     
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    • 26 August 2020 22:38 PM

    @robertbrown

    Well yes of course.
    You are talking far too much sense!!
    I think D status is more than adequate.
    As soon as you move to major construction then it becomes a very stupid idea
    Retrofitting is barmy when it changes significantly aspects of the property.
    I certainly DON'T want IWI or EWI on my properties.

    So D status should be the minimum required in about 10 years time.
    At least with my Victorian property I DON'T get mould.
    In my new -build flats mould is always occurring cos occupants refuse to ventilate properly.
    Apparently to avoid mould the air in a property needs to be renewed daily.

    Rarely do my occupants ventilate to the extent I request

    Given the choice between a new-build and a Victorian terrace I know I wouldn't choose the new-build!!
    Even though energy costs are more.

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    • 26 August 2020 23:06 PM

    @andrewtownshend

    Yep you are totally correct.
    Just consider the buildings constructed in the 60's.
    All being demolished.
    Now look at garden cities built 100 years ago.
    Still standing and everyone loves them.
    So much so that Londoners are desperate to move to them.
    Govt should just get building these garden cities built to the same size specs as built 100 years ago.........fat chance.

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    govt should keep out of building--and education and health etc

     
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    • 27 August 2020 10:41 AM

    The Government will do well if it gets out of Politics too.......

     
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    I agree many buildings of the 60's weren't good, so why did it happen again in 2010's + with glass & plaster board / studding everywhere, no architectural design or detail features, just square plain square buildings, uninteresting buildings many covered with zinc sheeting like a cattle shed or worse still plastic cladding etc, but like Paul said when we don't learn from history we have to learn it again.

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    I have 100 year old houses which are fully insulated, but have very old double glazing, the way this looks I don’t qualify to improve the glazing as everything else is fine. Rubbish scheme, as far as I can see

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