For many years the government has warned of the dangers posed by climate change and made it clear how important it is to reduce the country's greenhouse gas emissions. As part of that message, it has made attempts to educate people about the role green home improvements can play in helping the environment.
Government estimates suggest that around 27 per cent of the country's carbon emissions are generated by domestic properties, with five per cent coming just from heating water in homes. With that - and the fact the UK is committed to reducing its carbon emissions by 34 per cent by 2020 and 80 per cent by 2050 - in mind, it is easy to understand why the government is so keen to see changes in domestic properties.
It has already taken some steps towards this, such as introducing the Decent Homes Standard, issuing guidance about minimum energy-efficiency levels in new properties and changing planning regulations so that they favour green developments.
However, much of the responsibility for reducing carbon emissions from domestic properties has been left to homeowners, meaning green home improvements have a huge role to play.
Some homeowners have already acted out of concern for the environment, while others have been motivated to improve the energy efficiency of their properties because carrying out the work will save them money in the long term. Many more people would like to make green home improvements, but cost is proving to be a real barrier to all but the most basic changes.
In order to help some householders, particularly those who can really benefit from improvements to their heating systems and insulation, a number of government grants and loans from public organisations have been made available.
Are you eligible for government support for green home improvements?
The government currently runs a scheme which entitles some householders to grants of up to £3,500 to help towards improving their home's insulation, heating and hot water systems. The scheme is known as Warm Front in England, the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme in Wales, the Energy Assistance Package in Scotland and Warm Homes in Northern Ireland.
Typically you will need to be aged 60 or over, or have children under 16 and be claiming benefits to be eligible for this grant. If you fit into this group, you may be able to claim even if you are a tenant rather than a homeowner.
Local authorities have the power to run their own home improvement grant schemes, depending on whether they have the funds. It is always worth putting in a call to see if they have any assistance available for green home improvements.
There may also be public money available from local home improvement agencies or the Home Improvement Trust. This money may well be in the form of a low-cost or even interest-free loan, rather than a grant, and is generally targeted at people living with disabilities or homeowners aged over 60.
One new government scheme designed to help homeowners looking to make green home improvements is Pay As You Save, which allows people to purchase microgeneration technology or energy-efficiency products without an upfront payment. They then repay the grant over a number of years, using the resulting savings from their energy bills.
At the moment it is being operated by the Energy Saving Trust as a small-scale trial and news is awaited about whether it will be rolled out across the country.
The boiler scrappage scheme
In late 2009 the government unveiled the boiler scrappage scheme, which entitled people with G-rated boilers to £400 towards the cost of upgrading to a high-efficiency model. The grant, coupled with the estimated £235 reduction in the average home's annual heating bill, made the scheme hugely popular.
As a result, all 125,000 grants in England were allocated within a few months, while the scheme has now closed in Scotland and is approaching its end in Wales.
The popularity of this scheme shows exactly why it is important to act quickly when government grants are available. Such programmes are usually relatively small scale and with public money set to be in short supply for the next few years, they are also likely to become much rarer.
How can Rated People help with your green home improvements?
Whether you are spending your own cash or have managed to secure government support for your green home improvements, you will want to ensure you get value for money. To do that you will need to find the best tradesmen for the job, something which Rated People's service can help you with.
Simply register with the site and then post details of the work you plan to undertake free of charge. Rated People will then introduce you to up to three tradesmen interested in quoting for the work.
As well as the quotes, you will be able to use the on-site ratings from other Rated People users to make a decision about which tradesman to hand the job to.
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