How does the Green Homes Grant scheme work?
Under the scheme homeowners, private and social landlords and park home owners are able to receive funding for retrofitting certain measures on their home. Under the main scheme, applicants can receive up to £5,000 typically covering two thirds the total cost of the work. A separate scheme is also available for those on low-income providing up to £10,000 and covering 100% of the cost of work (details of who can qualify for the
low-income Green Homes Grant scheme are available here).
Homeowners can now visit the
Simple Energy Advice (SEA) website and are asked to answer a few questions about their project. The site then makes recommendations for funded improvements they can apply for and sends them a list of all local tradespeople who are approved under the scheme.
If your business is accredited, you will be added to the SEA directory and homeowners can approach you to quote for this work. Once this is accepted, the owner will then be able to submit the application through a portal on the SEA website which will open at the end of September. You need to ensure your business is listed on the SEA portal so that owners can select your business when submitting the application. The first submissions are then due to be processed the following month.
Once the application has been accepted, the homeowner will be issued with a voucher including the name of the companies carrying out the work. You will need to register your company and bank details with the administrator of the scheme. You need to log the completed work through the
TrustMark Data Warehouse. These will be reviewed for compliance with the installation quality requirements of the scheme and then the voucher amount paid. All work will need to be completed and invoiced before the end of March 2022.
What home improvements does it cover?
The refurbishment measures which can receive grant funding are separated out into primary and secondary categories
The primary improvements cover insulation applications to all areas of the building envelope (excluding new extensions, outbuildings and conservatories) and the installation of low carbon heating systems such as ground and air source heat pumps, biomass boilers and solar thermal systems. It will be necessary to ensure the envelope of the property is well insulated when opting to fit low carbon heating systems as these typically heat water to lower temperatures than conventional gas boilers.
A number of secondary measures are also available including draft proofing, fitting double/triple/ secondary glazing in single glazed homes and installing heating controls and thermostats.
All quotes submitted under the scheme must include at least one primary measure. If any remedial work is required to the property before the measures can be installed, then this should also be included within the quote and will be considered within the voucher valuation.
What site costs does the Green Homes Grant cover?
In addition to the cost of materials and labour, installers can also quote for a number of associated works which are covered under the Green Homes Grant. These include:
• architectural detailed design drawings;
• application fees for planning permission, listed building consent and Building Regulation applications;
• essential structural improvements and engineering costs;
• scaffolding and waste removal;
• fitting passive ventilation; and
• airtightness testing
Further costs such as obtaining an Energy Performance Certificate, general changes to the layout or décor of the property (such as moving windows or doors), asbestos removal and training are not covered through the scheme.
Can I quote for more than one improvement through a Green Homes Grant?
It is possible to submit quotes for a Green Homes Grant covering multiple primary and secondary retrofit measures. However, the funding available for secondary measures is capped at the level provided for the primary improvements i.e. if £1,000 is awarded for floor insulation then the grant for any secondary work will be capped at £1,000.
Can I quote for replacing existing insulation or double glazing through a Green Homes Grant?
It is not possible to quote for like-for-like replacements (such as replacing existing double glazing), however, you can apply to ‘top-up’ existing measures in some cases. For example, if the existing loft insulation layer is not adequate.
Can Green Homes Grant installations be carried out by more than one firm?
Yes, it is possible for firms to collaborate as part of a single Green Homes Grant application. For example, this may apply where the application includes the introduction of a low carbon heating system in addition to fabric measures such as fitting floor insulation.
Do I need to buy the improvement products from a particular supplier?
No, installers can purchase these from any merchant providing they meet certain minimum requirements in terms of performance and safety (to be confirmed by BEIS).
How can I become an accredited Green Homes Grant installer?
In order to carry out work under the scheme, installers must be a TrustMark registered business. Installers of low carbon heating systems must also be certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). There will also be requirements for other measures under whichever Scheme Provider (SP) or Certification Bodies (CB’s) those measures fall under.
How to become a TrustMark registered business
Installers must first be certified under the 2017 or 2019 versions of PAS 2030. PAS 2030 is a public specification designed to ensure that energy efficiency measures are correctly installed. To achieve certification, your staff will need to complete training through a
scheme provider. Note that not all providers will provide training for energy retrofit work. Relevant providers for the Green Homes Grant Scheme include:
• British Board of Agrement;
• Blue Flame Certification Ltd;
• The Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency;
• ELECSA;
• NICEIC;
• Ocean Certification Ltd; and
• Stroma Installer Certification
In addition to training, you must have a project audited by your chosen providers. Once certified, you can apply to become a TrustMark registered business through the scheme provider. Once approved, your work will be audited annually by the provider to ensure standards are upheld.