£2bn Green Homes Grant scheme now open

Home Energy Advice Tamworth (HEAT) is urging residents to apply for a new government-funded scheme which could see householders benefitting from home improvement vouchers worth thousands of pounds.

The new Green Homes Grant Scheme aims to make homes warmer and greener by supporting homeowners in installing energy efficiency measures and low-carbon heating. Residents could benefit from the nationally advertised scheme or more flexible local project funding.

Home Energy Advice Tamworth (HEAT) is run by Tamworth Borough Council in partnership with Marches Energy Agency. It is a free and impartial energy advice service to residents across Tamworth, with a range of energy queries via the telephone, in person, and online.

Anyone who owns a home, including landlords, may be eligible for vouchers of up to £5,000 towards improvements with the new Green Homes Grant Scheme. The vouchers can cover two thirds of the cost of measures included in the scheme.

Homeowners on low incomes and receiving certain benefits can access further help, with vouchers up to £10,000 available for those who qualify. Qualifying benefits include, but are not limited to, income-based jobseeker's allowance, pension guarantee credit, universal credit, and a number of disability benefits.

Vouchers can be used to insulate floors, walls, and roofs (saving energy and money), or to help residents install new low-carbon heating systems. The vouchers can also be used to cover some of the additional work linked to installations, such as design drawings, contractor costs, and work to support the retrofit.

Once insulation or low-carbon heating have been installed, measures such as window glazing and heating controls can be installed as a secondary measure. However, the value of vouchers for the secondary measure cannot exceed that of the initial work. It’s important to act fast, as any work installed through the scheme must be completed by March 31, 2021.

Davina, Project Manager at HEAT, welcomed the new scheme, saying “This is a great opportunity for many local residents to improve the energy efficiency of their home. New insulation and low-carbon heating are both effective ways to keep your home warmer while saving money on energy bills and ultimately reducing your environmental impact.”

As well as the nationally advertised scheme, Tamworth residents could benefit from additional funding for a unique Staffordshire-wide local authority project, which will see the installation of solid wall insulation, solar thermal water heating, and air source heat pumps.

This scheme comes with more flexible qualification and install criteria, and those struggling with cold homes can contact HEAT to find out more about different avenues of support available.

Cllr Michelle Cook, Cabinet member for Neighbourhoods, said: “The health and wellbeing of our residents is one of our top priorities. The new Green Homes Grant scheme will provide many households with help towards the cost of improving their home energy efficiency.

“HEAT can provide free help to more households than ever before in Tamworth so don’t leave it too late to call the free HEAT number on 0800 043 2815.”

To find out more and see whether you could benefit from either of these new schemes, visit: www.tamworth.gov.uk/heat  or call the team at Home Energy Advice Tamworth for free on 0800 043 2815. HEAT is a partnership between Marches Energy Agency and Tamworth Borough Council. All advice is completely impartial and free of charge.