Free and Cheap Insulation Official Discussion

John_Pierpoint

taffy056 wrote: »

I doubt it will come in like that, there is a long way to go before those proposals can become law. Also the green deal is likely not coming into effect until January 2013 now, there are doubts that everything can be in place by October without causing chaos, still the way the coalition handled the feed in tariff for solar they will go ahead and let the people at the sharp end suffer the problems.

The Daily Mail would agree with you, and is trying to claim the credit:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/mortgageshome/article-2130371/Conservatory-tax-cost-homeowners-pounds-dead-water.html

Personally, I have never known a situation like this where the governors and the governed have been further apart in their perceptions of what is needed.

Personally I think these measures will eventually be forced through, but how the "man on the Clapham omnibus" is going to be persuaded to change his attitudes, I just don't know.

(He would be much more interest in reading the innuendo article about Pippa "the rear" Middleton - go on click the link you know you want to );)

neiallswheel

this is also true for the thousands of flat roofed homes all over the country that have been neglected by the big six energy providers and the government grant schemes.
Flat roof bungalows are more likely to be inhabited by the old or disabled and NO SOLUTION has been provided for the unfortunate tenants.
This is a big problem .
Martin Lewis please get this information out there.
cheers Neiall Mullery

jellyhead

littlejaffa wrote: »

i'm sure you have already but just incase - have a quick search by this company name - i just cancelled and appointment with them after reading the horrendous reviews they have..

They cancelled it themselves. When they called to confirm I explained that I'd checked the rules about being in a 'priority' group and that the person who signed us up had made a mistake - they said they can't do it for free bit did I want a discount? I politely declined.

I don't know if salespeople are deliberately misleading people into thinking they are in a priority group so they get their commission on the lead, or if they just don't understand the criteria? More worryingly, perhaps the company doesn't care that the salesperson misled me, and just wants to charge people for the work?

Jules22

I've just had a survey for loft insulation today.

I looked at the criteria for the 'FREE' insulation and I was shocked to find that I dont qualify because of this odd rule.....

I live in a Terraced house-4 beds approx 88 square mt.

The company states that its free as long as it doesnt measure over 58 square mt.

BUT if I lived in a Detached 4 bed I would only pay extra over 80 squre mt.

How unfair is that?
Would it be worth discussing this with the supplier?

John_Pierpoint

The objective is to save carbon for the nation NOT money for the individual.

Detached houses emit a lot more carbon than terraced ones.

The payment via a surcharge on electricity bills, counts as taxation under the OECD rules.

There was a window of opportunity when even the Queen could have had Buckingham Palace done for free. (Yes I missed it too).

In the autumn these "subsidies" are likely to be replaced by "cheap" loans linked to the property not the individual.

John_Pierpoint

Kevin McCloud of Channel 4 "Grand Designs", and lately property developer of low cost "eco" homes, was interviewed recently on Radio4 "You and Yours" programme.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_McCloud

I do not remember the exact exchange but it went like this:

"These proposals keep on getting delayed and the Tory MPs are just not going to vote it through?"

"They won't get a choice, these obligations have already been passed and then signed and are part of an international treaty".

"Everything is ready to go except for the final report from the sub committee on "heritage" properties.

I have a feeling that "heritage" is likely to mean "listed" and not include the millions of Victorian/Edwardian/1920's solid wall homes - they will be forced to meet modern regulations.

Other straws in the wind are the young couple who appeared in Homes Under The Hammer" [BBC1] When asked how their budget had worked out against the final outcome of their attempt to become developers/buy-to-let landlords said
"The requirement to put photo voltaic panels on the roof, came as something of a surprise":

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Merton_Rule

Yesterday we were given "The Queen's Speech" - a much smaller "To Do" list than normal at the start of the fiscal year.

Top of the list was "The Green Bank" in Edinburgh
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17988236
The new green bank, which will also have a London base, will be a world first and promises to create a more environmentally friendly economy.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-17298240

Can anyone see a pattern here?

Impose the costs of living on a finite planet on our children (a bit like student loans?)

suedee

Has anyone else found this problem, or know ways round it? I seem to be caught in a catch-22:
I've had an official survey by Domestic and General, am told I'm entitled to a grant-subsidised installation (small contribution payable) for loft insulation - but that because some of my roof has a very low pitch neither this company nor any of the energy companies are allowed to install it due to health and safety regs.
I fully understand this, wouldn't want workers' health put at risk - BUT I'm told although eligible for the insulation, I can't have any of it done (even the bit that is high enough) NOR can I have the materials without the installation...even if can find and pay someone else to fit it, I then can't have the insulation that would otherwise be supplied, so also have to buy the insulation myself....
I then said I'm willing (even as a not-so-fit 60+) to fit it myself but am told I can't have the materials to do that either.
Whatever way I look at it, I lose the benefit of the subsidy I'm told I'm entitled to.
My bungalow is VERY cold in winter with poor roof insulation, and I'm restricted to oil for my heating so this insulation offer meant an environmental saving, and potentially a big cost saving for me for improved comfort. Is there anything I can do?

ljema

Went onto the Scottish Power website as I have my gas and electric with them and started to fill in the form but when I typed 5 bedrooms I was not allowed to continue any further. Do 5 bed houses not need loft insulation then!!

Scottish_Power

Hi ljema

really sorry you had a problem with our online form. I have spoken to the team dealing with these requests and it appears there was an issue with it, please telephone 0845 601 7836 and make your request over the telephone, you shouldnt have any problems re: the size of your house. Thanks Lee-Anne @ scottishpower

rhapsodia

Besides the large energy companies, there are smaller companies which provide free surveys and fairly good jobs. Those smaller companies do also offer 'free' insulation to those that qualifies (especially those on benefits) and those who aren't at a discounted price.

Insulation does not only saves your money by keeping your house warm, it also saves the world and during summer it keeps your house cool. It benefits you and the world. :T