Homeowners and residential landlords in England can apply for a grant of up to £5,000 (or £10,000 if they are owner occupiers on a low income) towards the cost of installing energy efficient and low-carbon heating improvements to homes.
The rest of the cost has to be funded by savings or by borrowing. The borrowing will typically take the form of a further advance added to the existing mortgage or some form of second charge lending.
This means mortgage lenders are potentially an important component in the scheme.
The scheme includes potential improvements which can save up to £600 a year on heating bills but it is important all the correct steps are taken to secure the grant.
The government will provide a voucher that covers up to two-thirds of the cost of qualifying improvements. The maximum value of the voucher is normally £5,000 but if a member of the household is on a low income and receives one of the qualifying benefits a voucher up to £10,000 and 100% of the cost may be available.
Landlords cannot apply for the low-income part of the scheme. The scheme only applies to England.
What the voucher covers
Vouchers must be used to install at least one primary home insulation or low carbon measure. Over and above this with a matching amount the voucher can then be used to fund secondary measures.
The primary insulation measures are solid wall or cavity wall insulation, floor insulation, loft insulation and insulation to flat roofs, rooms in roofs and park homes. The primary low carbon heating systems are biomass boilers, air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps and solar thermal.
Having established that at least one primary measure is included the potential secondary measures may include draught proofing, double/triple glazing where replacing single glazing, secondary glazing, energy-efficient replacement doors, heating system controls and hot water tank thermostats and insulation.
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