New Green Homes Grant to give up to £5,000 in vouchers for insulation and double-glazing

tek-monkey

Reed_Richards said:

I think the Government will simply introduce "green" taxation where the price of fossil fuels is gradually ramped-up through taxation to the point where they become economically unattractive.  They could also tax things that consume fossil fuels more heavily so that replacement gas boiler becomes a lot more expensive.  

Unfortunately stopping something being used by making it too expensive for the average person is the likely scenario with this government

The money spent on the GHG would have been much better spent on solar in my eyes, as electricity is used for lots more things.  Not sure on everyone's situation, I'm electricity heavy by about 4/1, solar and a battery solution would save me much more than an air pump.  Neither are really cost effective for me to pay up front for though, unless the money was spare and I wouldn't be on MSE if I had thousands lying about and no debt!

brewerdave

tek-monkey said:

Reed_Richards said:

I think the Government will simply introduce "green" taxation where the price of fossil fuels is gradually ramped-up through taxation to the point where they become economically unattractive.  They could also tax things that consume fossil fuels more heavily so that replacement gas boiler becomes a lot more expensive.  

Unfortunately stopping something being used by making it too expensive for the average person is the likely scenario with this government

The money spent on the GHG would have been much better spent on solar in my eyes, as electricity is used for lots more things.  Not sure on everyone's situation, I'm electricity heavy by about 4/1, solar and a battery solution would save me much more than an air pump.  Neither are really cost effective for me to pay up front for though, unless the money was spare and I wouldn't be on MSE if I had thousands lying about and no debt!

I agree; my daughter and son in law are in the process of moving into a new build detached house. They asked the builder WHY they weren't installing solar panels. The agent laughed and said that there is no incentive for them to do so! 
A new build estate, on a green field site, seems the perfect place to fit panels, batteries even look at GSHP - but no, new gas central heating and no energy recovery systems!

Reed_Richards

When people buy houses, the running cost of the house are generally low on their list of priorities.  Builders know this so most of them build accordingly.  If we want new houses to be greener and more energy-efficient then it is up to us to vote for a government that will legislate to make that happen.

brewerdave

Reed_Richards said:

When people buy houses, the running cost of the house are generally low on their list of priorities.  Builders know this so most of them build accordingly.  If we want new houses to be greener and more energy-efficient then it is up to us to vote for a government that will legislate to make that happen.

Unfortunately not going to happen in my lifetime!

JohnnyFish

After applying on the last day of September I finally received my Green Homes voucher at the end of January. This was following several phone calls and emails, and their demand to show that I owned the property etc. even though I had sent every piece of information required at onset.
It is now almost the end of April, I have spoken on several occasions to the chosen supplier who now states they will not do any work on my property until the government dept. pays for the work they have already undertaken on three other similar Park Homes.
I wrote to my local Conservative MP who did not even give a read-back and certainly no response.
Today I have written to senior members of the Shadow Cabinet asking if anyone there is interested in the fiasco that is known as Green Homes Grant!
Watch this space!

DeeCee56

Does anyone know what to do if you have applied for the means tested green homes grant (universal credit) etc, but have managed to come off of benefits before using the voucher?

sallyhocking

Well, after applying on the 12th January attaching the installers quote and the relevant information electronically, some 20 plus phone calls, 12 emails including a complaint, and an online chat, would you believe it (yes I expect you would) the GHG team are asking for duplicate information and are now questioning the installers quote, when I had previously been told it was fine and fitted the criteria!!  This whole process is absolutely disgraceful and a joke....this fiasco has been going on for nearly 4 months now and has started to affect my mental health.....will it ever end?!?!

Reed_Richards

sallyhocking said:...this fiasco has been going on for nearly 4 months now and has started to affect my mental health.....will it ever end?!?!

The scheme itself was closed to new applications way ahead of schedule at the end of March.  In your case it is a matter of which party will wear down and give up first.  Unless they have been secretly told to give out as little money as possible, I can see no reason for their ridiculous procrastination.  But it's not just you suffering.

Reed_Richards

DeeCee56 said:

Does anyone know what to do if you have applied for the means tested green homes grant (universal credit) etc, but have managed to come off of benefits before using the voucher?

I have no idea what the official line is but given that you have no control over how long it took to get the voucher and limited influence over how long it then takes your contractor to start work it seems completely unfair that you should be blamed for managing to come off benefits in the interim.

sallyhocking

We will not give up....