Free and Cheap Insulation Official Discussion

Furts

lexy1981 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice. As per my message, I do open windows in the mornings; the condensation problem is due to my home requiring new windows which are due to be fitted next month. As im sure you will understand I did not want to pay out for new windows for the problem to come back again after having the cavity wall done. Good to know it is genuinely free for all though, certainly makes a refreshing change.

Do you have trickle vents in the tops of the windows or night latch settings on the window handles to open and enable ventilation during the night?

John_Pierpoint

So far we have helped to warm up over 1 million homes and your home could be next. Because for the first time, absolutely anyone can apply for our free insulation - even if you’re not a British Gas customer. It’s worth £1000, including materials and labour and, could save you hundreds of pounds each year. But don’t hang about, this free offer ends on 30th November.
[BG has to complete all the paperwork before 01jan13, when the current subsidy arrangements end.]

Exactly what the position will be next year, I don't know, but you could be facing a bill of (say) £350. The window fitters might want to carefully inject the cavity with expanding foam round the windows before they rip out the existing windows the next day?

thor

I need a bit of advice about getting loft insulation in my mum's house.
On Monday someone will be coming round to check her loft, the problem is that she is away overseas until next March.
Is there any chance that she could still get the free insulation? I am also not discounting the surveyor giving the go ahead to only later claim that the government grant no longer exists and she will have to cough up the readies.
This is all assuming they propose the work being done when she returns next year. I can't see them installing the insulation in her absence.

John_Pierpoint

The salesman may well be commission only.
The free installation stops officially on 01jan13.
Officially speaking the person signing the paperwork probably needs power of attorney from the owner/landlord; but I doubt anyone in this final rush would notice a signature of M. Mouse.

nickpowell77

Hi,

I recently had British Gas to quote for loft insurance but I was in eligible because the loft already has some insulation across some parts of it. It is also not an option to remove it and call another provider because what I have is the loose insulation and it would be a pain in the backside as well as being dishonest.

Are any companies offering subsidised materials for a DIY installation?

Thanks, Nick

John_Pierpoint

Wickes and B&Q have unfortunately just increased their prices by about 300%.

I cannot find any news about the subsidy situation in the new year.

(Glass fibre was about £10 a cubic meter - remember the polyurethane type foams (eg "Celotex") are twice as effective as glass fibre thickness for thickness, with nucleated graphited polystyrene somewhere in the middle BUT the unsubsidised (?) price for these foams can be 10 times greater per cubic meter.)

Personally I would try to find a "dishonest" installer - just how thick is you "mica (?) loose fill - perhaps as the subsidies are running out - B. Gas is trying for the quick win installations.

On a safety note, where are your electric cables in your loft? Can you get the extra inches of fibre under them? Leaving them embedded between two layers of insulation could be potentially dangerous!

perfecta1

MSE_Archna wrote: »

Hi Sharon,

Thanks for the feedback, we will bear it mind. Don't forget though, that the free insulation includes loft insulation too - so hopefully you can still benefit from that. Loft insulation usually saves more because heat rises.

MSE Archna

as the main thing: Any insulation sponsored by council is available only for those who take any benefits!

perfecta1

John_Pierpoint wrote: »

You should get it for free at the moment, even from B.Gas (who will most probably simply farm out your opportunity to some installation company) unless you live in some palace sized home.
This is because the government has an international undertaking to cut CO2 emissions by 20% by 2020 (geddit?) and government and power companies don't want to build a massive second National Grid if they can avoid the expenditure and the hassle involve in obtaining environmentally friendly power from renewable sources. .

Again, for free only for those who take benefits. I have contacted BG last week and been informed about restrictions.

John_Pierpoint

I have done my own loft with £1 a roll offers and recently had my cavities filled completely free (admittedly I live in a bungalow - so no scaffolding issues).
I don't qualify for any benefits.

You have to shop around and remember that if you are proactive you have saved the installer the need to pay commission to the self employed "surveyor" (salesman).

John_Pierpoint

perfecta1 wrote: »

Again, for free only for those who take benefits. I have contacted BG last week and been informed about restrictions.

Here are the terms and conditions:
http://www.britishgas.co.uk/products-and-services/energy-saving/home-insulation/terms-and-conditions.html

Exactly what are the restrictions that apply to your potential installation and when were you told about them?