Free and Cheap Insulation Official Discussion

kaspersky

I having taken up cavity wall insulation offers yet as I'm not sure who to use. Are all subcontractors who do the work doing a proper job or are some better than others. Like double glazing firms there are so many out there but can there be rogue ones as well.

John_Pierpoint

My opinion based on my own experience and that of my in-laws:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/52274725#Comment_52274725

"Fibre" is the subsidised cheap solution, so that is what you will be offered.

In theory they should do a test panel to prove the machine is correctly calibrated and then take density readings after filling.
If the wall is not drilled and filled correctly there will be either/and areas that are left empty plus areas where the fibre will "settle" leaving the top of the cavity empty.
Expect discussions about not being able to handle tile hanging (drill from inside?) and the massive expense of scaffolding if there are difficult areas to reach (eg above a conservatory).

Interesting set of "Which?" supporter's horror stories and explanations here:

http://conversation.which.co.uk/energy-home/cavity-wall-insulation-companies-can-we-rely-on-their-advice/

A.Penny.Saved

birdyc3 wrote: »

Hi,
Does anybody know of any free schemes for single wall insulation?
Or have any recommendations for the best type of insulation?
Thanks
Charlotte

There can be things available as part of the Community Energy Savings Programme (CESP) where solid walled homes are externally insulated by energy companies for free. These are often available in low income areas. The energy companies are being forced to do this work. It might not be available to you but it might be worth having a look just in case it might apply.

Kite2010

Avoid Tesco, we've just had an agent acting on their behalf do an "assessment", and it was basically a hour long sales pitch trying to sell extras with only the last 5 minutes checking to see if the home qualified.

It's like a bank's "financial review" trying to sell pretty much everything Tesco does for energy (solar panels etc). They are meant to be coming back to me with the results but I'm guessing they will say that the house isn't suitable for their free stuff, but they can provide insulation if we pay for it, probably quoting that the house is slightly too big to be covered by the free deal or they can't get access to the attic (which funny enough they didn't even go up there to check).

What a waste of an afternoon.

PennyForThem_2

I have had double glazing installed and as my insulation is bead and not sufficiently 'glued' a lot has gone blown in the wind.

I want to top up - any advice?

isofa

I notice the British Gas "Free" offer is going to expire in a few days. Our loft is ok, although after personally adding more insulation a few years ago, in times of very cold still weather we get quite a bit of condensation (this didn't occur before), all soffit vents are ok and there is a gap all around the edge of the loft to ensure airflow, so I don't want to make it worse with other forms of insulation...

I'm toying with the idea of taking up the free BG cavity wall insulation offer, because the house does cost a lot to heat in winter. One main wall is south facing and gets the brunt of the summer and winter weather. Both our neighbours have had it done in the past 12 months on "free" offers, the houses are about 20 years old, gas boiler and gas fire/chimeys (the latter which we and our neighbours never use).

Would it be worth while, or is this just trouble waiting to happen with damp?

Enact_Energy_Representative

Kite2010 wrote: »

Avoid Tesco, we've just had an agent acting on their behalf do an "assessment", and it was basically a hour long sales pitch trying to sell extras with only the last 5 minutes checking to see if the home qualified.

It's like a bank's "financial review" trying to sell pretty much everything Tesco does for energy (solar panels etc). They are meant to be coming back to me with the results but I'm guessing they will say that the house isn't suitable for their free stuff, but they can provide insulation if we pay for it, probably quoting that the house is slightly too big to be covered by the free deal or they can't get access to the attic (which funny enough they didn't even go up there to check).

What a waste of an afternoon.

We are Enact Energy and manage the Home Efficiency service on behalf of Tesco nationally. I am sorry to hear you did not have a good experience and it certainly is not what should have happened. We have a no in-home selling policy apart from with insulation but that is because it is generally free of charge so it is just a case of confirming you wish to go ahead. Can you please get in touch with me via a direct message to tell me your Tesco reference number and I will investigate your claims.

Thanks very much

hic36

Hi, has anyone had any dealings with NGIA - National Grants Insulation Assessors. My partner answered the door to them last week and agreed for them to carry out loft insulation.....
I however am a little scepticle (?sp) -

Firstly the form asks for his National Insurance number, we are not on benefits apart from I get DLA for my child.
My partner was told it was Free - however there is nowhere on the paperwork that says this.
We are in Staffordshire but the company is in Preston, Lancashire, why are they canvassing at the door such a distance away from their offices.

I know FREE insulation does exist and we were planning on arranging it but something doesnt quite add up with this....

Anyone any experience, ideas or thoughts. Thanks very much.

Poppycat

EnactEnergyRepresentative you have not got proper permission you would have an official signature and your username would be in purple not blue

like this
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/member.php?u=799997

"How do I spot a Company Representative?

If they've been given permission to post they'll have a standard username (xx Company Representative) and signature to clarify who they are. Yet this doesn't mean MSE endorses their products or services. See the full list of Large Companies with Permission to Post. Any posts by companies without permission will be removed when reported. Companies posting shouldn't tout for business."


http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/site/forum-faqs

Enact_Energy_Representative

PennyForThem wrote: »

I have had double glazing installed and as my insulation is bead and not sufficiently 'glued' a lot has gone blown in the wind.

I want to top up - any advice?

It will be important for your 25 year guarantee that you use the same company to top up the work which will not be an easy task. If you know who carried out the work I would call them in the first instance or if not, I would contact the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Association ciga.co.uk as they can confirm if you can claim on the guarantee or at least should know who did the work from their records