In a Nutshell:

Under the new scheme the UK Government will provide homeowners and social/private landlords with vouchers up to a maximum of £10,000.00 for those on low incomes covering 100% of the costs. Other homeowners can claim vouchers for up to £5,000.00 where the new scheme will fund up to two-thirds of the cost of home improvements to help families save on their energy bills.

Really importantly only reputable and regulated tradespeople can be used to carry out the work, therefore our customers can be assured that the work carried out will be of a high standard.

We are looking to change our windows so can we use the grant?

Firstly, replacing windows and doors has been deemed a ‘secondary’ measure as opposed to a ‘primary’ measure, and to qualify for a grant for windows or doors you will have first needed to have accessed a grant for a ‘primary’ measure:

PRIMARY MEASURES:

• Insulation – Solid wall, under-floor, cavity wall or roof
• Low carbon heat – Air source or ground source heat pump, or solar thermal

If then you have received a grant for a ‘primary’ measure, then you are able to apply for a ‘secondary’ measure grant.

SECONDARY MEASURES:

• Double or triple glazing/secondary glazing when replacing SINGLE glazing
• Upgrading to energy efficient doors
• Hot water tank /appliance tank thermostats / heating controls

How can I spend the £10,000/£5,000 voucher?

As we understand it the amount you can use to improve your home is capped.  It is capped at the value you obtained for your ‘primary’. measure. For example, if you get a grant for Cavity Wall Insulation for £750.00 you may then be able to get a grant for windows up to the same value of £750.00.

Will there be restrictions on how the grant can be used to replace my windows

As we have highlighted above, the ‘secondary’ grant for windows only applies if you are upgrading from single glazed windows to double glazed or triple glazed windows.  We are very proud to work closely with local conservation areas and this may be an opportunity for many of our customers to engage in the scheme if they have single glazed units, we are on hand to help provide sympathetic solutions for period properties.

Can I use the grant to change my front door?

Once you have accessed the ‘primary’ grant, the ‘secondary’ grant is only available for doors which have been fitted before 2002 and can be replaced by installing ‘energy efficient doors’. The exact specification of the replacement doors have not been released yet but here at Finesse we have always manufactured and supplied the very best entrance doors in our industry therefore we look forward to receiving more information to be able to share with you.

Is the scheme means tested?

If your project meets the criteria as above, then we believe it will be subject to some form of means testing to ascertain what level of support you might be entitled to. Again, we are waiting on further information from the Government and will share it with you as soon as we know the detail.

What’s the easiest way to work out if I’m eligible?

1. Are you interested in having of the Primary Measures being installed in your home under the Green Home Grant scheme?

If you answer ‘YES‘ then…

a. Are you looking to replace single glazed windows with double glazing?

or

b. Are you looking to upgrade your doors to energy efficient doors (and have an existing door/s fitted prior to 2002)?

If you answer ‘YES‘ to both then you may be able to apply for assistance through the Green Homes Grant Scheme.

If the answer is ‘NO’ then you cannot access the scheme, but we would be more than happy to talk to you about how we can help with your home improvement plans.