Green Homes Grant: everything you need to know

If you're thinking of applying for the Green Homes Grant, find out whether your project is eligible, deadlines, and caveats you need to know about

green homes grant
(Image credit: Getty)

The Green Homes Grant is now open for applications – good news for home owners in England hoping to make energy-efficient home improvements. But who is eligible for the grant, and how do you apply? What's covered, and when is the deadline? We have all the information. 

Find out more about house renovation in our guide.

What is the Green Homes Grant?

Essentially, the Green Homes Grant is a subsidy for energy-saving home improvements. Under the scheme, homeowners and residential landlords in England will be able to apply for vouchers covering up to two-thirds of energy saving home improvements, up to a total of £5,000. Low-income applicants will be able to get the whole cost covered, up to a total sum of £10,000.

What will the Green Homes Grant cover?

The Green Homes Grant will cover the following installations:

Top up or secondary energy-efficiency instalments include:

  • Window glazing: single, double, triple or secondary window glazing
  • Energy efficient doors (only where replacing doors installed prior to 2002)
  • Draught-proofing
  • Adding a hot water tank, smart thermostats and heating controls or appliance tank thermostats

The grant will also cover some professional service cost (e.g. the cost of hiring a structural engineer) and some contractor cost (e.g. waste disposal and scaffolding). 

Boilers are not covered by the scheme.

Who is eligible? 

Home owners and residential landlords in England only. New builds that haven't been previously occupied do not qualify. If you were hoping to apply for the grant to cover the cost of double glazing or draught-proofing, it's not quite as simple as picking which home improvement you want. The grant vouchers may only be used in two stages: you must install at least one 'primary' measure before you qualify for anything else, and it has to be either insulation or low-carbon heating. You can't replace your existing insulation, only install additional measures on top of what you already have.

Only after you've installed a primary measure can you apply for secondary measures such as draught-proofing, glazing, energy efficient replacement doors, and thermostats – and the total amount for these measures cannot exceed the amount you spend on primary measures. 

How do I apply for the Green Homes Grant?

Use the official gov.uk portal to apply. Bear in mind that before you apply, you'll need to obtain a quote and a license number from a TrustMark registered tradesperson. 

Use the Simple Energy Advice website to check that you're eligible and which home improvements can be made to your home.

What is the deadline for application?

The deadline is 31 March 2021. It's very important to note that this deadline is not just for submitting the application but for having the work completed. So, the quote you obtain from your registered tradesperson will need to show that the project can be carried out within the timeframe provided. 

What are the alternatives if you're outside England? 

If you're in Scotland, you can apply for the Warmer Homes Scotland grant. In Wales, the CERO covers primary measures such as roof insulation. And in Northern  Ireland, there are different grants to cover different needs – read about them at Nidirect

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Anna is a professional writer with many years of experience. She has a passion for contemporary home decor and gardening. She covers a range of topics, from practical advice to interior and garden design. 

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