Green Homes Grant Scheme - Only TrustMarkees Need Apply

A construction worker at work with his tools on a toolbelt

Any installer wanting to benefit from the Green Homes Grant scheme must be a TrustMark Registered Business.

Installers of new energy technologies such as solar or air source heat pumps, can also be registered to the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).

Recently, the GGF quit being a TrustMark Scheme provider. However, FENSA (a GGF Commercial company) continues to be a Scheme provider. Both Certass and Corgi Fenestration, the other two of the three most recognised Competent Person Schemes for the windows, doors and other home improvements sector, both offer routes to TrustMark registration.

Later this month (August 2020), under the Green Homes Grant scheme, homeowners in England can apply for vouchers worth up to two-thirds of the cost of hiring tradespeople to upgrade the energy efficiency of their home. The maximum contribution will be £5,000 or for those on lower incomes, a 100% grant up to £10,000 will be available for certain work.

 

Savings

The vouchers, which will be issued from the end of September, will help pay for energy efficiency improvements, that will help cut energy bills and potentially save families hundreds of pounds year.

A statement from the Department for Business, Energy & Industry (BEIS),  said consumers will be able use a TrustMark Registered Business from their local area to carry out energy-efficient measures in and around their homes. They will be able to use the vouchers to install one or more of the following 'Primary Measures':

  • Solid wall, under-floor, cavity wall or roof insulation.

  • Air source or ground source heat pump.

  • Solar thermal.

Households will need to install at least one of the primary measures to qualify for funding. So long as there is at least one primary measure in the package of works, households will also be able to install secondary measures. Secondary measures can only be subsidised up to the amount of subsidy provided for primary measures. (e.g. if a household receives £1,000 for primary measures, they can only receive a maximum of £1,000 towards secondary measures). Secondary measures include:

  • Double or triple glazing/secondary glazing, when replacing single glazing.

  • Draught proofing.

  • Upgrading to energy-efficient doors.

  • Hot water tank/appliance tank thermostats/heating controls.

The grant scheme is available until the end of March 2021.

 

Early statement

Simon Ayers, CEO of TrustMark, welcomed the opportunity to work with the industry sectors to support the delivery of quality work and ensure that consumers receive the high standard of work they should expect. The home improvements carried out under the scheme will have greater levels of technical standards and commented that the Green Homes Grant scheme is the 'kickstart' the construction and energy sector need to help recover from the coronavirus pandemic and help the UK reach the target of being carbon neutral by 2050. 

 

 “As we undertake this journey, the construction and energy industries will play a vital role in the delivery of low carbon homes, providing healthier and more comfortable living conditions.”

– Simon Ayers 

CEO, TrustMark

 

Protecting jobs

“The Green Homes Grant scheme is an important step in creating new jobs, protecting the existing and delivering low carbon housing," continued TrustMark's Ayers. "As an industry, we need to collaborate to support the initiative, ensure businesses are supported and consumers can rely on the tradespeople that carry out work in and around their homes making them fit for the future. The vouchers will help prime the market and allow eligible property owners to make energy efficiency improvements and save on their energy bills.”

Picture: Any installer wanting to benefit from the Green Homes Grant scheme must be a TrustMark Registered Business.

Article written by Cathryn Ellis
04th August 2020

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