Home energy saving improvements carried out under the government’s new Green Homes Grant scheme must be completed by a TrustMark Registered Business, or Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), it has been announced.
Later this month, under the Green Homes Grant scheme, which launched last month, 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.
The vouchers as part of the government’s £2 billion investment to improve the energy efficiency of the nation’s homes, will be issued from the end of September. The Green Homes Grant scheme is available until the end of March 2021.
A statement from the Department for Business, Energy & Industry, 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:
- Solid wall, underfloor, cavity wall or roof insulation
- Air source or ground source heat pump
- Solar thermal.
In addition, households can use their voucher for further energy saving measures, which includes one or more of the following:
- Double or triple glazing/secondary glazing, when replacing single glazing
- Upgrading to energy efficient doors
- Hot water tank/appliance tank thermostats/heating controls.
Simon Ayers, chief executive officer of TrustMark, said: “The home improvements carried out under the [Green Homes Grant] scheme will have greater levels of technical standards, and is the “kickstart” the construction and energy sector needs to help recover from the coronavirus pandemic and help the UK reach its 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 continued: “The Green Homes Grant scheme is an important step in creating new jobs, protecting the existing and delivering low carbon housing. 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.”
