Cavity Wall Insulation

vincennes_2

Hi

We moved into our new house last winter and found it extremely cold compared to our previous one. We are thinking of having CWI installed but I read a lot of bad things about it: damp problems on the walls, beads falling out of the walls when they're drilled through etc. I would be grateful if anybody who had it installed would let me know what they think. Is it worth it? We were quoted around £700, £800 and contrary to England , there are no grants here if you are not on benefits.
Many thanks

Old_Git

my parents had it done years ago for free .Never had a problem with it .
As you say there are no grants available in NI if you dont get some benefits .

crusty_toenail

the parentals got it done last year - CWI and roof insulation, on a grant - FREE - pensioners get it free too! It's not means tested for pensioners! SO move an oldy in for a while x

RTNI

There are grants available to all home owners for loft and cavity wall insulation, with cashback up to £150 if the cost is over £300 on both loft and cavity wall.

I have applied for this scheme and am awaiting a reference number and more information to come out in the post before getting work done, but can anyone recommend a cavity wall installer who would do a good job in the Ards(Ballygowan) area?

Thanks!

warmhands.coldheart

I don't believe the grant covers Top-ups where cavity wall insulation is concerned. If it has had wall insulation and it has not been installed properly or has "settled" then you need to top up with the same material.. you can't put beeds into a wall which has the fibreglass type wool already in it. This does create damp as condensation rolls around the beeds and lies on top of the wool Cavity wall insulation when installed properly will not cause damp.... crap building creates damp where concrete bridges the wall ties etc.... Had our Cavity walls topped up last year with fibreglass and got extra insulation put in the roof space (Need at leat 250mm of insulation in the roofspace. more than the standard 100mm or so between the rafters!! Well well worth the money spent.

Old_Git

do you have to be on benefits to get insulation .
Is there anything free for the people not claiming benefits

RTNI

Old_Git wrote: »

do you have to be on benefits to get insulation .
Is there anything free for the people not claiming benefits

At the moment the grants for loft and cavity wall insulation are available for"Up to £150 towards the cost of installing cavity wall insulation and/or £150 for loft insulation. Available to all householders/private rented tenants across Northern Ireland" [Source: Energy Saving Trust Website]

Awaiting my paperwork to come through.......

warmhands.coldheart

I got £150 back from Energy Saving Trust Grant for Loft insullation, nothing for cavity wall insulation as it was a top up. There is the arguement that if you get a deal in B&Q or the likes it actually works ourt cheaper to just buy it yourself but ten you also have to install it yourself...... so really the grant is just paying for the installation you could say in your average 3 bed house (Ours cost £325 so taking of grant it actually cost £175.... I had worked out I could get the insulation from B&Q for about £160 at the time but then I'd have had to go pick it up and install it mayself... Time is money as they say so I took the grant and had it done for me!!)

RTNI

Thanks for the info, the house I have just moved into has no cavity wall insulation at all in it. We got it put into my parents house a few years ago and noticed a difference. As 33% of heat escapes through the walls, it should have a relatively short payback time hopefully!

Currently 100mm of insulation in the loft (just between the joists) and actually went to B&Q and got some 170mm insulation to lay on top of this which hopefully should help in keeping the heat in the house and making it nice and cosy warm! :grouphug:

taxationistheft

You'll be needing building control buy-off on cavity wall insulation. Our solicitor can't process the sale of the house without it.
I thought it was nice that the energy saving trust or the installers did NOT point this out.
Luckily the building regulation approval is free, but jeez, a little communication please!!

BTW, it's a pretty decent job and worth doing.

RTNI

taxationistheft wrote: »

You'll be needing building control buy-off on cavity wall insulation.

What is building control buy-off? Is it building control or is that a separate thing altogether?