Green homes scheme 2020

kirstydh

I followed the links to the government recommended tradespeople, from whom we need to get at least one quote for the work. The nearest was 26 miles away in Coventry and the others were over 50 miles away. I registered with the Coventry company, but needless to say, have had no callback. We’re in Birmingham. Is this as far as we can go with this? Anyone in the west midlands had any joy? 

rugby_bull

Hi Kirstydh,
Ironically we placed a call with the same company in Coventry to be told that we were too far for them to come out and give us a quote (we’re 16.87 miles away according to the MCS website!).  If the 3 other companies registered on the MCS website who are local to us, one has an email address on their website which doesn’t work and have been impossible to get through to by phone, another doesn’t have a website and the third, the link from the MCS website to their website says that their account has been suspended!  And none of them mention offering plumbing services which is a worry given that we are looking to get a hot water cylinder installed as part of a solar thermal solution.  The scheme has been ill thought through from what I can see and to add insult to injury, our preferred local plumbing company (who are Quality Mark registered and authorised Worcester Bosch installers) have been trying to achieve MCS accreditation all year but due to Covid had their training cancelled with the earliest re-arranged course they’re now being offered being Feb next year, too late for us to be able to use them.  Something needs to change and fast if this scheme is to achieve it’s objectives and benefit householders.  

pandy12

Hi I live in Lancashire and I rang around quite a few businesses from the recommended website and I was promised 2 quotes which i never received, so after all that work  i did, all i got was an enhanced mobile phone bill of over 40 pounds, as i rarely call 0843 numbers and i used my mobile and i spent quite a bit of time waiting in a queue.  This was very fustrating to see when i looked at my mobile bill!!, One of the providers said that they may not even end up being involved due to short time span. I have given up in this now as it was a waste of time which is a shame as this on paper did seem very worthwhile. Anyone else had luck in this area?  thanks pandy

Pile_o_stone

I submitted my application a few weeks ago and I saw that they would start contacting successful applicants from the beginning of November. Has anyone been contacted or heard of anyone being contacted yet?

Reed_Richards

Came yesterday (10th November):

Thank you for applying to the Green Homes Grant Scheme. Vouchers are now being issued. Homeowners whose vouchers meet the required criteria can expect to receive vouchers within the coming weeks. However, we are finding that many voucher applications are incomplete and require more information in order to be approved. As we work through voucher applications, we will contact you to gather any further information required to support your application for a Green Homes Grant voucher.

Pile_o_stone

Reed_Richards said:

Came yesterday (10th November):

Thank you for applying to the Green Homes Grant Scheme. Vouchers are now being issued. Homeowners whose vouchers meet the required criteria can expect to receive vouchers within the coming weeks. However, we are finding that many voucher applications are incomplete and require more information in order to be approved. As we work through voucher applications, we will contact you to gather any further information required to support your application for a Green Homes Grant voucher.

I received the same email. I think I'm going to be in the 'require more information' category as the internal insulation company invoice just said "Internal Insulation - £10,000". lol.

shinytop

Pile_o_stone said:

Reed_Richards said:

Came yesterday (10th November):

Thank you for applying to the Green Homes Grant Scheme. Vouchers are now being issued. Homeowners whose vouchers meet the required criteria can expect to receive vouchers within the coming weeks. However, we are finding that many voucher applications are incomplete and require more information in order to be approved. As we work through voucher applications, we will contact you to gather any further information required to support your application for a Green Homes Grant voucher.

I received the same email. I think I'm going to be in the 'require more information' category as the internal insulation company invoice just said "Internal Insulation - £10,000". lol.

I did too.  I suspect it's a holding message to warn applicants of delays, blaming applicants rather than admitting the scheme is a shambles.  I'll be happy to be proven wrong though. 

michaels

Anyone done solar thermal? I can probably get it for free but the annual savings seem miniscule.

How about underfloor insulation - do you think they cover the removal and replacement of existing flooring under the green home grant?

Pile_o_stone

michaels said:

Anyone done solar thermal? I can probably get it for free but the annual savings seem miniscule.

How about underfloor insulation - do you think they cover the removal and replacement of existing flooring under the green home grant?

I was considering Solar thermal a few years ago (I even installed a thermal store with a solar coil) but then I read a few articles and then this one, which was the clincher:

https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/2013/09/11/solar-hot-water-which-is-better-pv-or-thermal/#gref
"Solar thermal water heating is a temperamental thing. Water weighs a lot, it expands when it freezes, and it can cause scaling damage to pipes when it boils. Solar thermal systems are wonderfully efficient, and some systems work just fine for decades, but even these need regular inspection. When a solar thermal system fails, however, it sets about destroying itself, and it has been clear for some time that solar thermal water heating is not the way of the future except for very low-end heat usage, like swimming pools."

Solarchaser

michaels said:

Anyone done solar thermal? I can probably get it for free but the annual savings seem miniscule.

How about underfloor insulation - do you think they cover the removal and replacement of existing flooring under the green home grant?

On the underfloor insulation, its a bit different up here, but basically for the last 5 years or so they have funded a quarter of the cost, but my understanding was that the homeowner is responsible for the opening and closing the access to underfloor. 

As a quick FYI, through the scheme I was quoted £1000, outwith the scheme i was quoted £680.
And to actually buy the 200mm insulation and netting, and a stapler to do it myself has cost a total of £162

Don't get me wrong, its a horrible job, and if the whole cost is covered by English grants, then why wouldn't you, just as a quick reference of the costs involved.

michaels

Solarchaser said:

michaels said:

Anyone done solar thermal? I can probably get it for free but the annual savings seem miniscule.

How about underfloor insulation - do you think they cover the removal and replacement of existing flooring under the green home grant?

On the underfloor insulation, its a bit different up here, but basically for the last 5 years or so they have funded a quarter of the cost, but my understanding was that the homeowner is responsible for the opening and closing the access to underfloor. 

As a quick FYI, through the scheme I was quoted £1000, outwith the scheme i was quoted £680.
And to actually buy the 200mm insulation and netting, and a stapler to do it myself has cost a total of £162

Don't get me wrong, its a horrible job, and if the whole cost is covered by English grants, then why wouldn't you, just as a quick reference of the costs involved.

If the whole lot was covered you would, if the removal and refitting of the tiles and engineered wood flooring wasn't then you certainly wouldn't bother.

I reckon the value of the heat output from the solar thermal at current gas prices is of order £50pa.  A system seems to cost 5k (or probably more if the installer knows that the govt grant is paying).  Obviously if it is paid for by a grant it isn't my money but even still spending £5k to get £50pa benefit seems a crazy use of taxpayers money.