Energy Saving Trust Q&A Centre

ackworth

Through the EST (via MSE) cavity wall insulation was installed yesterday at a price which was a fraction of what I paid many years ago, so very good value.

However, unlike the previous four houses where I had it installed, the effect is not perceptable and the house seems as cold as before. I wonder if the correct amount of insulation material has been supplied.

The two installers made it clear that they did 'foreigners' at the week-end and I'm concerned that some of the material may have been 'retained'.

They also drilled straight through a non-cavity wall and damaged the plaster and wall paper inside.

Do I have to deal direct with the contracting company on these matters or the company (Enviro Choices) who selected the local contractor?

I would appreciate your advice.

Energy_Saving_Trust_company_representative

ackworth wrote: »

Through the EST (via MSE) cavity wall insulation was installed yesterday at a price which was a fraction of what I paid many years ago, so very good value.

However, unlike the previous four houses where I had it installed, the effect is not perceptable and the house seems as cold as before. I wonder if the correct amount of insulation material has been supplied.

The two installers made it clear that they did 'foreigners' at the week-end and I'm concerned that some of the material may have been 'retained'.

They also drilled straight through a non-cavity wall and damaged the plaster and wall paper inside.

Do I have to deal direct with the contracting company on these matters or the company (Enviro Choices) who selected the local contractor?

I would appreciate your advice.

We would recommend you contact the installer in the first instance, regarding the damaged wall and plaster. Hopefully the installation was carried out by a CIGA registered company which means you will have a 25 year guarantee which states “…CIGA hereby guarantees that any defect in materials or workmanship in connection with the installation by the installer of the cavity wall insulation…shall be rectified without charge subject to…T&Cs”. More information on this can be found here: http://www.ciga.co.uk/index.html

ackworth

Thanks for the quick response. I will contact them regarding the damage as you suggest. Should I also speak to them about my other concern:

'the effect is not perceptable and the house seems as cold as before. I wonder if the correct amount of insulation material has been supplied.'

Thanks again

zeupater

ackworth wrote: »

Thanks for the quick response. I will contact them regarding the damage as you suggest. Should I also speak to them about my other concern:

'the effect is not perceptable and the house seems as cold as before. I wonder if the correct amount of insulation material has been supplied.'

Thanks again

Hi ackworth

It's probably best to leave it a couple of days and see if things improve. You'll find that the thermal mass inside the new insulation will warm up over the next couple of days, you should then see the benefit (or not ... )

HTH
Z

muskoka

Not sure if Energy Saving Trust can help me at all. I have my doubts. Average wage earner, home owner, No children, no disabilities...ALSO no gas to house & no heating. Don't suppose I can get any discounts/grants as I work for a living??? Thought I'd ask:)

Energy_Saving_Trust_company_representative

muskoka wrote: »

Not sure if Energy Saving Trust can help me at all. I have my doubts. Average wage earner, home owner, No children, no disabilities...ALSO no gas to house & no heating. Don't suppose I can get any discounts/grants as I work for a living??? Thought I'd ask:)

Hi,

You will qualify for the discounted rates currently on offer on things like cavity wall and loft insulation. It can be confusing, but basically the prices you often see already include a grant discount. You can find out what offers are available to you by checking out our grants finder. It will provide details of those most relevant to your circumstances and property type. Prices vary, but you're looking at around £200 for loft insulation, and up to £250 for cavity wall insulation. However, you may find deals better than this when you search. If you need any additional support then phone our advice line on 0800 512 012.

alanb1

Hi any information you can give me about gel filled storage radiators would be welcome are they a scam or do they actually work.
Thanks Giffer

Cardew

alanb1 wrote: »

Hi any information you can give me about gel filled storage radiators would be welcome are they a scam or do they actually work.
Thanks Giffer

Are you sure these are 'storage' heaters?

There are gel filled radiators on the market that run on normal 24/7 electricity and state the gel endows them with wonderful properties, and if these are the ones you mean, they aren't storage heaters.

They are just a variation on the standard oil filled radiator you can buy for £30 or so.

You should be aware that all electrical heating is 100% efficient and give out exactly the same amount of heat for the same running cost.

That includes these vastly overpriced radiators costing many £hundreds each with advertising that implies they give out more heat because they are filled with a magic ingredient - gel, clay etc.

If a radiator retains heat longer, then it will take longer to produce heat. It is simple physics.

I suspect the EST can't say they are a scam for legal reasons - but they are!!!!!

dc1606

We have been offered C rated windows of 1.6U or A rated windows of 1.4U for c.£300 more (10 windows). Is it worth it? Would we notice the difference?
how much might the extra saving be - assuming all windows closed?
How are U values related to the A-G ratings?
Thanks.

redfred1

I have recently started to use 3Watt LED down-lighters in my home. I used to have 10X50Watt Halogen bulbs. This means instead of burning 50watts I only use 3Watts per bulb. This means that every 2 hours instead of using 1KWh I only use 30watts per hour. In winter time the kitchen lights are on for 6 hours a day, so this is 3KWhs a day, X 7 days a week, X 26 weeks a year= 546KWh’s@15p perKWh= £81 for 6 months use. With LED bulbs I now spend only £16, a saving of £64 per 6 months. The GU10LED bulbs cost me £3.50each or £35. 12volt MR16 LED Bulbs are also available.

Can you consider investigating more thoroughly the advantages of using LED lights, and include any finding and recommendations on you WEB page advice section.
Thanks Red Fred