The Green Grant scheme is now open

The Government’s Green Grants scheme has launched in England. Builders, plumbers, and other tradespeople who want to provide services for the scheme must register for TrustMark or Microgeneration Certification Scheme accreditation.

Homeowners can claim vouchers worth two-thirds of the cost of the energy efficient improvements, up to a maximum of £5,000 per household. Those on low incomes can claim the full cost of energy efficient improvements up to £10,000 per household.

However, to qualify you must install at least one “primary improvement”, including solid wall, cavity, loft, underfloor or roof insulation or low carbon heating, such as air source or ground source heat pumps or solar thermal systems.

If you already have these installed, you can use the vouchers to install “top ups”, such as more insulation to reach the recommended amount. If you install at least one primary improvement, you can then, and only then, use the vouchers for secondary measures, such as replacing single glazing with double or triple glazing; energyefficient doors where you are replacing doors installed before 2002; draught-proofing; heating controls and insulation.

You can only have funding for these secondary improvements up to the amount the government has given you for primary measures. So, if you have received £1,000 towards cavity wall and roof insulation, you can only have a maximum of £1,000 towards any secondary measures, such as double glazing.

Homeowners across England will be able to access advice on improving the energy efficiency of their homes and on funding this from the Simple Energy Advice service, which has just been launched.

The SEA website is at www. simpleenergyadvice.org.uk/