As of the 8th of July 2020 the UK government will be contributing £3bn towards energy efficiency measures as a part of the stimulus package which has been drawn up as a result of the devastation the coronavirus pandemic has had on the British economy.
£2bn of the package will go towards new green homes and presents an unrivalled opportunity for self builders wanting to make their new homes in the wake of this pandemic. The package will be distributed into society as vouchers of up to £5000 per household, under the Green Homes Grant.
The government will pay at least two-thirds of the cost of home improvements that save energy, for example if a homeowner were to install floor and ceiling insulation and it costs a total of £5000 then the homeowner will only have to shell out for just over £1,650 and the government will be paying for the remaining £3,350. Better still half of the fund will go towards the poorest in society, who will not have to contribute anything towards the cost.
The scheme will launch in September and will include online applications for recommendations on energy efficiency measures, and details of accredited local suppliers and fitters installers. The types of installations that will save you the most energy varies from home to home but most examples will consist of:
- Insulation, such as solid wall, cavity wall or loft insulation
- Heating
- Draught-proofing
- Double glazing
- Renewable energy generation, such as solar panels or heat pumps
Available now on the .gov website is the Energy Efficiency Calculator which highlights how you could make savings on your energy bills.
The website also tells you of all the possible eligible improvements one can hypothetically make to their home. These consist of:
- Replacing windows and doors
- Installing secondary glazing
- Using energy efficient lighting
- Insulating your loft or walls
- Adding draught proofing
- Upgrading your heating
- Generating renewable energy from sources such as wind or solar power
All are projected to benefit from the grant, from those hired to install it, to those who are having it installed. It is projected that due to being shut inside for the duration of lockdown the average household will end up spending an extra £195 at the end of the year in energy bills.
This grant is a real opportunity for anyone currently in the process of or wanting to start their self build, and may open the door for such extensive savings that you as the homeowner can invest serious money into a more glamorous part of the build.
