The Axing Of The Green Homes Grant: How To Be More Eco-Friendly

The Green Homes Grant was introduced in September 2020 to help make UK homes greener and more affordable. Under the scheme, homeowner and landlords could claim money (in the form of vouchers) to cover up to two-thirds of the cost of energy-saving property improvements. Low-income households could apply for additional funding to cover the full cost of energy efficiency improvements, up to a maximum of £10,000.

The scheme was planned to run until March 2022 but was axed in March 2021, just four months after it was launched. One industry expert claimed that the “Green Homes Grant was too costly and complicated for tradespeople to sign-up for meaning households found it tough to use.”

The Green Homes Grant was extremely popular with homeowners and landlords looking for help funding green renovations, and many trades firms were disappointed to hear that the scheme was being axed.

Fortunately, there are still plenty of affordable ways to make your property and lifestyle more eco-friendly. Here are a few ideas:

Book a domestic energy survey

Booking an energy survey is a great way to improve your home’s energy efficiency as it will give you an overview of the energy performance of your property. Our domestic EPC assessors can help you create a more energy-efficiency home by conducting a detailed energy survey of your property.

Your home will be given an energy rating from A and G, with A being the most energy-efficient and G being the least. Our accredited assessor will also provide recommendations to make your home more energy-efficient and save money. This might involve minor upgrades like replacing incandescent lightbulbs with LEDs, or larger renovations like adding cavity insulation or installing new windows.

Embrace renewable energy

Renewable energy use has increased rapidly in the UK and renewable electricity overtook fossil fuel generation for the first time in 2020 according to an independent study by Thinktank. Embracing renewable energy will significantly lower your carbon footprint and reduce your environmental impact.

There are several ways to embrace renewable energy at home. For instance, many homeowners in the UK have installed solar panel systems on their roofs to harvest the sun’s rays. Along with the environmental benefits, solar panels could also save you roughly £270 a year on energy compared to conventional fossil fuels, according to Greenmatch. You could also switch to renewable energy by moving to a green provider that generates energy from a renewable source like window or solar.

Adopt eco-friendly habits

Simple changes to your daily habits can have a huge impact on your carbon footprint and significantly reduce your energy use. Here are some top eco-friendly habits to follow at home:

• Always switch lights off when you leave a room.
• Turn electronics off from the wall when they are not in use. Leaving them on uses standby power and wastes electricity.
• Save water by taking short showers instead of baths.
• Upgrade to eco-friendly appliances and always have devices set on the most economical mode to save energy.
• Avoid using single-use items like disposable plastic water bottles and containers.

Reduce food waste

Statistics show that UK households produce around 6.7 million tonnes of food waste per year, which equates to roughly £10.2 billion each year. Food waste is a massive issue in the UK that is harming the environment and consumer’s wallets. The good news is, there are many ways to reduce waste and become more eco-friendly when it comes to food.

One of the easiest ways to prevent waste is by planning your meals and writing a grocery list before you go shopping. Check the expiry date on food items and eat them before they go bad. You can recycle fresh food waste like vegetables and fruit by putting it in a compost bin. Compositing is a great way to lower harmful emissions and you’ll be left with a fantastic fertiliser for your garden! Check out this guide on how to start a compost bin.

Summary

Many homeowners and landlords were excited to hear that the government was introducing a Green Homes Grant to help cover the costs of eco-friendly renovations. The scheme was hugely popular, but unfortunately, it was axed a year earlier than expected. This was disappointing news for many homeowners, landlords, and trades firms.

The government said it’s still fully committed to creating greener housing despite cuts, and various other schemes have been introduced to support sustainable housing. The above tips will boost the energy efficiency of your home, save money, and help you lead a greener and healthier lifestyle.