Householders
BERR's Low Carbon Buildings Programme householder stream relaunched in May 2007 and will now be committing funds until June 2010. For more information please visit BERR's website by clicking here
You must undertake a number of energy efficiency measures before you are eligible to apply for a Low Carbon Buildings Grant. These measures will ensure that you are minimising your energy requirements. Before applying we require you to have:
a. insulated the whole of the loft of the property to meet current building regulations e.g. 270mm of mineral wool loft insulation or suitable alternative
b. installed cavity wall insulation (if you have cavity walls)
c. fitted low energy light bulbs in all appropriate light fittings
d. installed basic controls for your heating system to include a room thermostat and a programmer or timer.
We recommend that you complete a home energy check to assess which measures are most suitable for your home. You can also call your local Energy Saving Trust advice centre on 0800 512 012 for guidance on energy efficiency measures and energy efficiency grants available in your area.
After you have installed your energy efficiency measures, you need to obtain a quote for a certified microgeneration product from a certified installer. When this is done you can then apply online.
Please note: If you are applying for a grant you must agree to the terms and conditions. This means an application cannot be completed by anyone other than you. For example, an installer cannot complete an application on your behalf.
If you have already chosen your technology, a certified installer and have a quote then apply online now. By applying online you will get an instant response to your request for a grant. Please download the guidance notes to help you when using the online grant application system. Click here to apply via our online grant system.
Click here for the installer completion certificates.
Important things to note:
If you have previously downloaded an application form or guidance notes before 29th May 2007, you will not be able to apply for a grant using these. Click here to apply online now. Click here for up to date guidance notes.
All installers have now been added to the online grants system and therefore all grant applicants are encouraged to apply online where you will receive a faster response to your application.
Amount of grants available
Please see following table for the funding levels available for each microgeneration technology.
|
Technology |
Maximum Amount of Grant |
|
Solar photovoltaics |
Maximum of £2,000 per kW of installed capacity, subject to an overall maximum of £2,500 or 50% of the relevant eligible costs, whichever is the lower |
|
Wind turbines |
Maximum of £1,000 per kW of installed capacity, subject to an overall maximum of £2,500 or 30% of the relevant eligible costs, whichever is the lower |
|
Small hydro |
Maximum of £1,000 per kW of installed capacity, subject to an overall maximum of £2,500 or 30% of the relevant eligible costs, whichever is the lower |
|
Solar thermal hot water |
Overall maximum of £400 or 30% of the relevant eligible costs, whichever is the lower |
|
Ground source heat pumps |
Overall maximum of £1,200 or 30% of the relevant eligible costs, whichever is the lower |
|
Air source heat pumps |
Overall maximum of £900 or 30% of the relevant eligible costs, whichever is lower |
|
Automated wood pellet fed room heaters/stoves |
Overall maximum of £600 or 20% of the relevant eligible costs, whichever is the lower |
|
Wood fuelled boiler systems |
Overall maximum of £1,500 or 30% of the relevant eligible costs, whichever is the lower |
No monthly cap
Since the scheme re-opened for applications in May 2007, household grants have been and will continue to be allocated on a first come first served basis as long as funds last.
There will be no further funds and no further measures to extend the scheme life.
£2,500 maximum limit on grants per household
There is a £2,500 grant cap per household. Householders can apply for more than one technology but the funding will be limited up to a maximum of £2,500 per household depending on technologies involved.
Shorter grant offer periods
After the scheme re-launched in May 2007 grant offer periods were reduced, they are as follows:
- Solar thermal grant applications will be given 3 months to complete installations
- Wind and solar PV will applications be given 4 months to complete installations
- Ground Source Heat Pump, Air Source Heat Pumps and Biomass will be given 6 months
- Hydro will be given 12 months
- Technologies being installed on buildings under construction will have a grant offer validity of 6 months (except hydro which has a 12 month grant offer period)
Planning permission
Householders must have in place any required planning consents before applying to the scheme. For more information please go to the permitted development rights page.
Re-designed application form
The re-launched scheme will continue to operate an online applications process. However, there will be a new online application form. This should make it easier for you to carefully consider what you need to do and have in place, including agreeing an installation date, so the work can proceed without delay once the grant offer is made. We will also accept paper applications (available from 29th May) where necessary.
Tighter policy on extensions
Going forward we will not allow extensions resulting from delays in planning permission or other statutory requirements which you should have resolved before applying for a grant. We will allow extensions of up to two months where the delay results from circumstances outside your control; for example, a supply problem where the product is not available.
If you have a question about your application which you cannot find an answer to in the guidance notes why not check our frequently asked questions.