The Government funded Low Carbon Building Programme currently offers grants towards the cost of renewable technologies for private householders. £2,500 is the maximum amount available. Details are below.
Note that due to the introduction of feed-in tariffs from April 2010, grant funding for installation of renewable electricity technologies (e.g. solar PV, wind turbines, etc.) ceased at the end of March 2010. Similarly, the Renewable Heat Incentive, due in April 2011, means that grants for installation of renewable heat technologies will cease by the end of 2010 or when funds are used up. See article on Feed-in Tariffs (FITS) for details of the new payments scheme for renewable electricity generation.
Technology |
Maximum Amount of Grant |
Solar thermal hot water |
Overall maximum of £400 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 the lower |
Ground source heat pumps
|
Overall maximum of £1,200 or 30% of the relevant eligible costs, whichever is the 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 |
Any private householders can apply for a grant provided they have already installed loft insulation to current standards, cavity wall insulation (if you have cavity walls), low energy light bulbs, and heating controls. This is a sensible condition as all the basic energy efficiency measures which save the most energy and carbon for the least cost, should be installed before considering renewable energy.
The work must be done using a certified installer, and you can apply online
Previously these grants were over-subscribed and erratic, but the application process has been simplified and there is minimal delay in processing the applications. However, the budget for these grants is limited, and they are not likely to continue once the money runs out.