You may remember the Green Deal, which opened again for applications in 2017 after the original scheme closed in 2015, as a way to help homeowners make energy saving improvements to their homes.
There is a little confusion between the green deal and green grant, as they are separate schemes, but we are here to help!
Green Deal is essentially a government loan, to help make energy-saving improvements to your home. Eligible improvements includes insulation, heating, draught-proofing, double glazing and renewable energy generation.
Unlike the green grant, it is a loan that must be repaid. Annual repayments should not exceed the annual savings you make on energy bills having carried out improvements.
To apply for this, a Green Deal assessor will visit your home to find out more about your home. They will check on:
Green deal also remains with a property. That means if you sell your home, the new owners will have to continue to pay back the loan.
The Green Grant is a grant offered to homes eligible for energy saving improvements – it isn’t repaid.
To check eligibility, complete an online application form. The form assesses if you can claim the voucher and to see what improvements are suitable for your home.
Then you have a choice over what improvements you would like. You are required to get quotes from local approved tradespeople. Three quotes are advisable to ensure you’re getting the best value for money.
Before entering into a commitment to have work carried out, ensure you have had confirmation that your grant application has been accepted. Once the work has been carried out, the grant will be issued directly to the company who has carried out the work.
There is, however, somewhat of a grey area as to what is covered and how the grant actually works.
So, here’s team Solarframe to help…
Well, to start with there are ‘primary’ and ‘secondary’ measures, these are:
Insulation is the primary measure, so either solid wall, cavity wall, under floor or loft. ‘Top up’ insulation can also apply to in these areas to meet the recommended requirements. It’s worth mentioning at this point that replacing a conservatory roof with a solid conservatory roof (although contains insulation) doesn’t quality in this category. More on this later.
The second primary measure is the installation of Low Carbon Heat, such as an air source heat pump, ground source heat pump or solar thermal.
One of these has to be installed first for you to be eligible.
Secondary measures can only be subsidised by the amount provides for the primary method. For example if a household receives £1000 for cavity wall insulation, then they can only receive a maximum of £1000 towards secondary measure.
This only applies if it remains within the allocated grant. For example, if £5000 is granted and £4000 is spent on a primary measure, then only £1000 remains available for the secondary measure.
Heating controls and insulation such as appliance thermostats, hot water tank insulation, smart heating controls and draft proofing all apply.
Windows come into this category, but only if single glazing is being replaced with double or triple glazing. Double with double, or double with triple cannot be replaced . Doors also are eligible, but only if a door installed prior to 2002 is being upgraded.
Vouchers are paid directly to your chosen tradesperson rather than being issued in the form of cash. The Tradesperson must be accredited and be registered to accept the scheme.
You can access support and advice from the Simple Energy Advice (SEA) service. The service will suggest home improvements, which you may be eligible for. They will offer a list of registered tradespeople to carry out the work. Once this is agreed, then the grant will be issued.
The majority of conservatories do not qualify. They are classed as separate to the main property and do not contribute to the overall EPC of the property. This makes them exempt as they have dividing wall or door in between. Open plan conservatories with single glazing are eligible under secondary measures. It would not qualify for a solid roof replacement.
Solid roof replacements are the easiest way to save money on energy bills in your conservatory. The replacement has the benefit of making your room usable year round as it regulates the temperature. They also add value to your property.
But please do check our website for the latest offers.
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