Grants for renewable energy: first come first served

A question about : Grants for renewable energy: first come first served

From the 24th April householders will be able to register their interest in applying for new renewable energy grants from the DTI. Housholders will be able to apply for grants to part cover the cost of solar panels, biomass (that's wood burning stoves to you and me), wind turbines as well as other renewable energy technology such as ground source heat pumps and air source heat pumps.

Applicants need to be quick though as grants will be issued on a first come, first served basis. To be eligible you'll need to demonstrate you've made efforts to make your home as energy efficient as possible e.g. fitted energy efficient lightbulbs, 270mm loft insulation, cavity wall insulation (if suitable for your home).

More information is available on the website: www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk
but remember you can't register until after the 24 April

And if you need to make your home more energy efficient in advance, contact the government-funded Energy Saving Trust on 0800 512012 to find out what grants are available in your area.

Charities and community groups will also be able to apply for grants for their buildings.

Best answers:

• I have heard about getting grants for loft insulation, does this apply if you get a company to do the job, or could you get a discount if you do the job yourself. I have worked out I can get the fibreglass for less than Ј1.50 per sqaure metre if I but it from B&Q, but I bet it would cost hunderds even with a grant.
  can anyone help please ??
  Rubix
• Hi
  You can grants for both cavity wall insulation and loft insulation.
  There is a free helpline on 0800 093 4050 or visit www.heatproject.co.uk
• Or for a full list of other government energy saving grants ..
  look at :
  https://www.est.org.uk
• You arent guaranteed they will give a grant though and you have to pay in advance, so it's ok if you have the funds for i incase they don't give you a grant.
  (least that's how I read it)
• Its a good idea to check to see if your council have anything in place. NE Lincs have SHEEP which turns out to be the cheapest loft insulation i can find in my area
• The best thing to do is ring your local energy efficiency advice centre on 0800 512 012 (freephone). Funded by the government, they offer independent and impartial advice on the range of grant schemes available in your area. (Unlike some energy efficiency helplines which are funded by an energy supplier) Grants can be set up and closed down from month to month and it's your local centre's job to keep track of the best deals for you and can advise on waiting times. I'm not aware of grants covering DIY installations but again, your local centre can advise.
  My local centre referred me to a grant scheme where it cost me just £70 for the loft to be insulated to 270mm depth (best practice standard) - this seemed very reasonable for what is not a pleasant job to do yourself and I'll get payback within the year. It was very easy - the centre organised a person to come round to survey my loft, install the insulation and carry out the paperwork. All I had to do is sign on the dotted line and write a cheque.
• "2. Installation of microgeneration technologies must be carried out by accredited installers (DIY is not allowable)."
  Why oh why oh why? This is so unfair. I can understand that they'd need to inspect a DIY installation to show it was actually saving energy, but that would cost a lot less than the grant you can get. Having to get something professionally installed wipes out the grant many times over. So they are locking a section of the population out of their energy saving incentives.
• Hi all just to clarify on the grants available for Cavity Wall and Loft insulation. Every one in the UK is entitled to a grant for either product (subject to your property being suitable), it is only the amoun that can differ. Most people in recent of state benefits will get a 100% grant, those of us not on benefits will get a partial grant which can still cover up to 70% of the cost.
  The grants are actually provided by the energy companies after being set carbon reduction targets by the government - the cheapest way for carbon reductions in a home is through fully insulating it.
  I have to say that the governement funded energy advice centres are not always independant - after personal experience working for a company in the industry. My advice is to get the yellow pages out and call a couple of companies - no company I know charge for a survey, giving you the opportunity to shop around for the best price (should you have to pay anything).