Green Homes Grant: a brief summary

The Green Homes Grant scheme is closed to new applications. Find out more on Gov.uk.

At Leeds Building Society, we’re committed to reducing our carbon footprint and doing everything we can to help the environment. And it turns out we’re not alone.

In a recent poll¹ of our members, more than a third of respondents (33%) told us they’re likely to make energy efficiency improvements to their homes in the next two years. But what support is available to help them do so?

If you’re planning on making your home a little greener in the near future, the Green Homes Grant may well come in handy. We’ve taken a look at the new government scheme, the criteria you’ll need to meet to be eligible and how you can apply².

What is the grant?

Introduced in September, the Green Homes Grant is a government scheme designed to help homeowners and landlords fund energy saving home improvements.

With grants of up to £5,000 available, the government will cover up to two-thirds of the cost of eligible improvements. And families receiving certain benefits may be eligible for a higher contribution of up to £10,000.

To apply, you’ll need to satisfy some specific criteria. You must also redeem your Green Homes Grant voucher and complete your improvements before 31 March 2022.

What improvements are covered?

Eligible energy saving improvements are divided into two categories – primary and secondary measures. It’s worth noting that to secure funding for a secondary measure, you must install a primary measure too.

Primary measures include:

• Insulation - including solid and cavity wall, flat and pitched roof, and under-floor insulation.
• Low carbon heat solutions - including solar thermal heating, biomass boilers, air and ground source heat pumps.

Secondary measures include:

• Window and door replacements - upgrading single glazing to double or triple glazing and replacing single glazed doors with energy-efficient doors.
• Heating controls and insulation - includes hot water tank thermostats and heating controls, such as smart heating and thermostatic radiator valves.

Go to the Government website to find the full list of measures.

Am I eligible?

There’s some criteria you’ll need to satisfy including living in England, owning your own home or being a landlord in the private or social rented sector. But there are some caveats too. The Green Homes Grant isn’t available on newly built properties or if you’re claiming some other particular grants or funding. Plus there’s some additional points to consider if you’re a landlord.

Find out more about eligibility.

How do I apply?

If you satisfy the Green Homes Grant criteria, there’s various stages you’ll need to go through before making your application, including finding a certified installer in your area. Find out more about applying.

Over to you

Are you thinking of applying for the Government’s Green Homes Grant and making energy saving improvements to your house? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

1 Based on a poll undertaken in September 2020. 428 members responded to the question “Are you likely to make energy efficiency improvement to your home in the next two years?” by Leeds Building Society via our customer panel ‘TalkingPoint’.

talkingpoint.leedsbuildingsociety.co.uk is a site operated by Verve Partners Limited (Company Number 6663787, whose Registered Office is situated at The Clove Building, 4 Maguire Street, London, SE1 2NQ) on behalf of Leeds Building Society.

2 The information in this article is sourced from Gov.uk under the Open Government Licence.

This article is intended as summary information only. No reliance should be placed on this article.