Free and Cheap Insulation Official Discussion

Richie-from-the-Boro

John_Pierpoint wrote: »

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.

- see BadmanMoneySave's equally bizarre previous post's
- if everyone clicks the spam button the ramblings & the account will be 'sandpapered' out

Shelle

Thank you SO much for your sarcastic replies!!

I always assumed insulation was meant to help a home RETAIN heat by not letting it escape through the roof, but pardon me if I misunderstood! I only asked as I saw a tv programme which featured some cowboy firm that had installed installation unsuitable for that house and wondered if that was our circumstances. Our home was always warmer in the summer (without heating) but is so cold now we are tempted to actually put the heating on despite the temperatures outside.

John_Pierpoint

Yes the insulation will help keep the inside of your home cooler unless you have large sunny windows to let in the sunshine. That is why homes in hot lands have louvered shutters, to keep out the sun especially at noon and allow the outside air to circulate at night, without any rain (thunderstorm) lashing in through the open window.

Some people who have insulated their homes especially the light weight wood ones complain they now over heat in the summer; but this is almost certainly caused by sun shining in the windows. It is like the way a car overheats in the summer sunshine.

Furts

Shelle wrote: »

Thank you SO much for your sarcastic replies!!

I always assumed insulation was meant to help a home RETAIN heat by not letting it escape through the roof, but pardon me if I misunderstood! I only asked as I saw a tv programme which featured some cowboy firm that had installed installation unsuitable for that house and wondered if that was our circumstances. Our home was always warmer in the summer (without heating) but is so cold now we are tempted to actually put the heating on despite the temperatures outside.

This is not sarcasm, but technical advice. What you are experiencing in summer is normal and is what I have experienced since upgrading my walls and roof insulation.

The insulation will retain heat that you have input in the winter. But it will keep your home cool in summer by preventing the warmth that previously penetrated through the roof and bedroom ceilings. Also, in my case, it is preventing summer heat from penetrating the walls.

The solution can be to open the windows to let the external heat in. It is not a problem, more a case of re-adjustment or education to the new situation.

Lupylucy22

I have recently had assignment done by company called Energy Alliance on 06/06/2013.
I have no hot water supply as apparently i need a replacement cylinder,I am desperate, as i have had no hot water now 5 months,i am on benefits and have mental health,so its not helping.
I had quote but can't afford and cowboy company Dodds,i just lost trust as they have contract with council just run up bills,that don't
exist.
I am in a dilemma,as have had no response,chase up said fighting my corner but no result.
what should i do.

Lupylucy22

Free Boilers ( cylinder replacement experience )
I have recently had assignment done by company called Energy Alliance on 06/06/2013.
I have no hot water supply as apparently i need a replacement cylinder,I am desperate, as i have had no hot water now 5 months,i am on benefits and have mental health,so its not helping.
I had quote but can't afford and cowboy company Dodds,i just lost trust as they have contract with council just run up bills,that don't
exist.
I am in a dilemma,as have had no response,chase up said fighting my corner but no result.
what should i do.
I need help i can't go on with no hot water its a inconvenience.

bjcuomo

I notice a couple of mentions for the above company, does anyone have experience of them actually carrying out work? I live in an ex-council estate built in the 80s and we constantly get cold callers, have had 3 people round today about cavity wall insulation. This is something we would like to get done at some point but can't really afford it at the moment. Both companies (the above and the Mark group - they have terrible reviews so I wouldn't consider them) have said that we can get it for free but I am dubious about this. We own the house and are not on any benefits or low income. I called British Gas and they said we wouldn't be eligible.
The guy today (from nesuk) said that as we have a glass conservatory at the rear of the house it would be classed as 'hard to treat' because of the restricted access. Now I can't find any mention of this online anywhere, it seems to only apply to properties over a certain height. I told him that I didn't think we were eligible or classed as hard to treat and he just kept saying it would be free. He did however, mention that they would need to do an EPC so I don't know if they charge for this and that's how they make their money?
Got him to go in the end saying I didn't want to sign up for anything today but I'm sure they'll be back. Any advice would be great. I think the first thing I need to do is put up a 'no cold callers' sign as I am fed up of being stuck on my doorstep by various christians and salespeople!

Ecodave

The presence of a conservatory will make your house "hard-to-treat" for cavity wall insulation.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/47956/788-hard-to-fill-cavity-walls-domestic.pdf

There are numerous other ways that a property can be classed as HTT. I talked to an installer recently who was of the opinion that the majority of the properties it sends its surveyors to can be classed as HTT in one way or another.