Help! New here and got weird call about energy grant

OneTwoBuckleMyShoe

Hello Everyone,
I have been lurking for a while and trying to find my way around. I am still rather lost (can't even master the search function: is it better to search on google including forums.moneysavingexpert.com in search terms?). I decided to post because I couldn't find my way to any usable existing threads and I'm hoping that someone can point me in the right direction.
For context, this morning I got a call from someone implying she worked for the government but then hung up on me (!) when I tried to clarify exactly who she worked for. I took that as a bit of a warning sign. She was talking about the government's Renewable Heat Initiative (?) which she said would pay me £12k (over 7 years) to put in a (£16-18k) air-source heat pump system. She said I could also get a second grant of £5k for something else greenish and that this was all because my house is not on the gas grid. 
Is there a thread I can read through that isn't 126 pages long and that starts a bit later than 2013? 
Although the call this morning was shady, I had heard of the scheme and am quite interested, especially in a grant for insulation.
I hope someone can help. 

Gerry1

Never respond to a cold call.  If you add your number to the Telephone Preference Service list then you'll know that any cold calls are scams.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

hello, and welcome.

Here's some info, just click1, click2,

OneTwoBuckleMyShoe

Thanks Frugal,
I had seen those pages. I find them quite difficult to read through and also I think one of them may need to be updated. In fact that's one of my key questions -- has the deadline to apply for the Green Homes Grant been extended from the end of this month? The cold caller suggested that it had been. 
What I'd really like is a forum thread in which people like me are sharing their experience of these schemes, the benefits and pitfalls. 

Hasbeen

OneTwoBuckleMyShoe said:

Thanks Frugal,
I had seen those pages. I find them quite difficult to read through and also I think one of them may need to be updated. In fact that's one of my key questions -- has the deadline to apply for the Green Homes Grant been extended from the end of this month? The cold caller suggested that it had been. 
What I'd really like is a forum thread in which people like me are sharing their experience of these schemes, the benefits and pitfalls. 

Have you looked 17 threads down at the 960 plus replies on the green scheme?

OneTwoBuckleMyShoe

No! Thank you so much. I suspect that's exactly what I need. V grateful. 

Hasbeen

OneTwoBuckleMyShoe said:

No! Thank you so much. I suspect that's exactly what I need. V grateful. 

Here is a direct link just in case it moves slightly:  New Green Homes Grant to give up to £5,000 in vouchers for insulation and double-glazing — MoneySavingExpert Forum  

matelodave

Always treat any cold or unsolicited calls with extreme suspicion. 
If you didn't initiate the call to a number that you know then don't ever give your name, address or any bank details and don't press any buttons if requested to do so. Likewise don't ring back on any number they give you.

Oneye12

You were probably cold called from someone who was not used to product selling - so nothing sinister.

November 2019 I contacted Greener Living Ltd reagarding Renewable Heat Initiative.

In a nutshell they are selling you air-source heat pump system costing around £15k.

The rub is the profit margin is a little indistinct because:-

- you purchase large/small system for £15k on credit for around I think 12years

- you obtain a Government grant for £15K which is paid in instalments for the same 12year period. The company sets up a 12year loan with the grant effectively paying the loan off.

I was looking at a 3kw model which outputs 12kw equivalent heat output - but it's warm water so the exisitng radiators (from existing central heating) would have to be oversized to compensate. Also the colder the weather the less efficient the air-source heat pump becomes.

The next point is your installation has to be working before you actually get the grant,which deducts what you have previously paid to heat your property. Very convoluted to me but the Government grant isn't there to heat your house over the winter months.. I didn't go ahead.

Oneye12

Any grants for insulation are generally for people on benefits