Free and Cheap Insulation Official Discussion

thor

I'm no expert but as I posted above, I was told by one of the companies providing loft insulation under this scheme, that the government cancelled the cancellation at the end of the year. Of course they would say this but it is an awfully risky lie for them to try on if it is not true.

John_Pierpoint

Yes but is that just for the people on benefits?

Financewiz

Just a friendly warning - we purchased a house with cavity wall insulation installed already and while the insulation certainly can improve heat retention, the chance of damp problems seems very high unless you have perfectly maintained brick/render exterior, a wall that meets every british standard going (and most don't) and do not live in a high rainfall/exposed house.

Energy Saving Trust does not recommend houses in exposed locations have it retro-fitted at all now.

We do however, and the trouble trying to get CIGA (the 25-year government guarantee agency for cavity wall insulation) is amazing, the original installer having gone bust.

CIGA refuse to even acknowledge it could be an issue even when I have seen water dripping from the insulation with my own eyes and have proof of how much rubbish was already in the wall.

Google cavity + Jeff in the Telegraph and you'll see what I'm talking about. Worth doing your research!

Xstyle

I'm in Reading, and Slough... is there anyone that I can use for free insulation?
Thanks

lorrels

Thanks MSE, took your advice with Scottish Power. Contacted them 3 weeks ago, surveyor within a week, installed this morning. All done in 3 weeks.

Terrific service, they build any existing insulation up to 10" depth. All work and materials free. My only bug-bare was that the consultant told us to take up the floor panels in the roof space, which took over 4 hours - well nailed in! However, when the insulation team arrived, they said I needn't have bothered, they would have laid over the top.

Thanks MSE.
Sid :T

John_Pierpoint

Probably better not to have a void under the floor boards in the loft.
You can buy plastic "loft legs" and fit flooring panels if you need the storage space. [Would have been an easier job if you had done it before the "joists" were covered with 250 mm of fibre.]

SWISSARMS

Received a flyer in early December from Energycare Group, head office in Bedfordshire for free loft insulation. Rang up and gave all details and was given a survey date of 7th January between 8am and 12 noon 2013. On the 6th Jan had phonecall to say surveyor will call the next day between 8am and 1pm, also gave same details as before. At 9-15am on the 7th had a phonecall from same guy to say that all free installations had been cancelled by the government overnight, but after taking more details, age over 70, wife on disability allowence etc he said that I could have it done for ABOUT £290.
I declined his kind offer and will contact Trading Standards.
Scam or not, I smell a rat.

John_Pierpoint

Do we really need to told that the "surveyor", is really a commission driven salesman.

Let us have "Which?" and established web sites like this one naming names and save some money on these box ticking exercises subsidised by the peoples money.

It is simple - the installer and the salesman gets his subsidy 12 months after installation after the figures have been examined and the property photographed with an infra red camera.

How about sending Google round again to create an infra red street view on a cold and frosty night?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20970993

Xstyle

lorrels wrote: »

Thanks MSE, took your advice with Scottish Power. Contacted them 3 weeks ago, surveyor within a week, installed this morning. All done in 3 weeks.
Sid :T

So SP are still doing it then?? Hope it's cavity walls as well...

Fur

Hi all! I wanted to let you all know that I applied via Eon and was pleasantly surprised to have all work completed on my loft insulation free of charge and within a month of applying :j It is a great scheme if you qualify.
I was wondering though about the £100 cash back mentioned on the MSE page... This was never mentioned during my install and I have no cheque. Has anyone else had any luck with this?