Free and Cheap Insulation Official Discussion

jase_31

Hi,

With the free insulation offers (avaliable to all - not on benefits) are these avaliable to houses that are rented. If so does the tenant or landlord need to apply? Is the landlords permission required?

If the house has a standard size lean to garage (steel pitched roof) , is scaffolding needed to access the wall above?

dude89

jase_31 wrote: »

Hi,

With the free insulation offers (avaliable to all - not on benefits) are these avaliable to houses that are rented. If so does the tenant or landlord need to apply? Is the landlords permission required?

If the house has a standard size lean to garage (steel pitched roof) , is scaffolding needed to access the wall above?

Just pulled these t &c's from the BG website

http://www.britishgas.co.uk/terms-conditions-free-insulation.html

Particular point regarding this query :

Offer excludes scaffolding, vents and any specialist equipment. Tenants must seek landlord permission. Installation must be completed by 31st December 2012. Offer only applicable to residential properties and excludes all other properties including without limitation commercial or part commercial premises.


It does not show there are any limitations on the property being rented, just that tenants should seek permission

Planeteer

I just wanted to thank two of the more vociferous recent posters here for the extensive though factual debate on the pros and cons of CWI. :kisses:

Having been tempted by the free insulation offers from EDF and the general lack of building quality in the UK, I did apply for free insulation (for which I am waiting for an initial survey, in a long line apparently).

Having read the above quoted reports in some detail (thrilling Sunday morning reading...not), three things seem to stand out:
1. Many CWI insulated homes did get benefits ('feeling' warmer or reduced bills), but for many houses, the physical measurement of better insulated heat did not equal the calculated/expected benefit, meaning the houses did not contain as much more heat as calculated.
2. Some CWI insulated homes experience dampness.
3. Materials such as fibrewool exacerbate dampness issues.

This has left me fairly undecided now. :think: I suppose I will get the free survey done and see what recommendation the supposed experts come up with. If there are any views on the above, I'd welcome them

taffy056

jase_31 wrote: »

Hi,

With the free insulation offers (avaliable to all - not on benefits) are these avaliable to houses that are rented. If so does the tenant or landlord need to apply? Is the landlords permission required?

Yes we can insulate properties with privately rented tenants in them, it goes on the circumstances of the people who rent the property, not the landlord, consent normally in writing is required to do all work, even if its free. Social housing like councils and housing associations do not normally qualify, so in those cases its back to whoever rents you the house.

jase_31 wrote: »

If the house has a standard size lean to garage (steel pitched roof) , is scaffolding needed to access the wall above?

I can almost guarantee you that scaffolding will be needed for wool insulation on most lean to's - there are different products though, and depending on the installing company a lance system can be used in most cases, that is only available with diamond bead insulation, if you look up a page or two I have linked to the companies that install this product.

taffy056

Loobylev wrote: »

Just wondering if anyone can advise on whether blown in loft insulation is a good call or not? British Gas have stated I can only have this option as my loft hatch is too small to be able to lay the conventional rolls in between the joists. Even though I'm well chuffed to have free insulation offered I've never even heard of this method? I have done a bit of research and it looks really messy but can't find anyone who has it?! Should I just fork out the £84 they charge to widen my hatch and go down the conventional route to be on the safe side?

Any advice gratefully received please!!!

Cheers
Loo

We normally only install this type of insulation on lofts with hatches less than 12inx12in or low pitched roofs, if your loft hatch is bigger than that I would suggest a different installer as it can be installed with standard quilt insulation. British Gas just want your money its that simple, I worked for them I know what they are like. Often charging for work when there is no need.

As for the blown insulation, its a very good product if installed correctly, and the tendency is to put more material in than needed as it must be at least 270mm of insulation in the loft after the work is completed. There are pitfalls as 2010 stated about the eaves, but as the installers are not supposed to be insulating to the eaves in the first place to ensure airflow, its not often that happens, the product will settle down and will resemble other products installed, if you disturb it though its a mess.

taffy056

Planeteer wrote: »

I just wanted to thank two of the more vociferous recent posters here for the extensive though factual debate on the pros and cons of CWI. :kisses:

Having been tempted by the free insulation offers from EDF and the general lack of building quality in the UK, I did apply for free insulation (for which I am waiting for an initial survey, in a long line apparently).

Having read the above quoted reports in some detail (thrilling Sunday morning reading...not), three things seem to stand out:
1. Many CWI insulated homes did get benefits ('feeling' warmer or reduced bills), but for many houses, the physical measurement of better insulated heat did not equal the calculated/expected benefit, meaning the houses did not contain as much more heat as calculated.
2. Some CWI insulated homes experience dampness.
3. Materials such as fibrewool exacerbate dampness issues.

This has left me fairly undecided now. :think: I suppose I will get the free survey done and see what recommendation the supposed experts come up with. If there are any views on the above, I'd welcome them

Can I just say, don't if you can help it install Mineral Wool Fibre in cavities , if the company who EDF sends out doesn't do Bead insulation try another company, put a search in the link below to find an installer in your area who does.

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Take-action/Grants-and-Discounts-Database

simon_k

jonty1970 wrote: »

Has anyone heard of Weatherseal?
My cousin has had her cavity walls done and the loft.
A man knocked on one day and she agreed to them coming back and doing a survey.
Her husband works, so no benefits and they own the house.
He said it was free.

I told her to be careful, in case she gets sent a bill at a later date, but the chap said they fill out the forms and claim it all back.

Is it genuine?

Dear all,
I manange Weatherseal Insulation and would like to dispell a few myths and hopefully allay the converns Ive seen raised here.
Firstly as we near the end of the CERT (Carbon Emission Reduction Target) funding scheme, due to cease in September 2012, many of the utilities companies and indeed their contractors are now able to offer free insulation to all homeowners and tenants, irrespective of age or receipt of qualifying benefits. This is due to increased funding levels on offer to assist in the target being met.
As such there is no catch, and there will be no bills in the post.
You should sign a copy of the survey that clearly indicates there to be no charge and feel confident that you do not have to pay anything. All the installing company will require is your signature on a completion form after the installation. This is what we use to claim the grant money for our work.
I would recommend you take a few minutes to check you are happy with the standard of work before signing. Check that holes have been filled with mortar, the colour match is good (bearing in mind it will dry a lighter colour) and that the installers have tidied up after themselves.
That is about it, other than the fact you will receive a 25 year guarantee for the work (loft installation is NOT covered in this respect) some weeks later in the post. This guarantee is issued and underwritten by CIGA so you can be sure that it will be serviced if required.
In terms of damp and mould being caused - CWI like anything needs to be done properly. As such the installers are trained and inspected by the BBA, amongst many others such as CIGA, the funders, and the local authority. We also inspect a minimum of 20% of our own work.
Unfortunatley there are examples of poor workmanship out there, and as such we are all judged negatively due to the odd bad apple.
As for the cavity itself - from the early 1900s properties were built with a gap between the 2 masonry walls. This was to allow water to pass through the outer skin (bricks and mortar are permeable) but not into the property itself. Current CWI material, be it rockwool, whitewool or bead still allows water to pass through it and not acroos the cavity to the inner skin. The whitewool we use is basically fibre glass coated in silicone for this purpose.
If you are planning to go ahead be sure that the installer is registered with the BBA, CIGA and the National Insulation Association.
I hope this helps. But feel free to ask me any questions.

PennyForThem_2

I have beads which have been installed in my cavity walls about 20 years ago. Over the years, what with window replacement and other stuff done to the house, beads have blown away, fallen out of cavity etc due to insufficient glue.

I am about to replace windows in kitchen but when that is done would like to top up my insulation.

Will my utilities company consider me? If not where should I go to get it done - reputable company belonging to what trade organisation?

Thanks - any advice welcome

Pauleb80

Does anyone know if the £84 charged by British Gas to widen the hatch is standard and charged by all companies? I also have a small hatch so even if I'm able to qualify for free loft insulation it's unlikely to actually be free as I'll need to pay for a wider hatch. £84 seems a bit steep when you're expecting something for free. Does anyone know of any companies doing it cheaper?

nipsa56

why do all the free insulations packs etc only apply to the mainland and not N Ireland