"Up to 100%* funding towards energy saving measures to your home"

Gingernutty

I've received a letter from my local council. I'm an owner/occupier of a terraced house in an area with a lot of private and social landlords.

"We're working with E.ON in your area to install energy saving measures to homes as part of the government's Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP), which is designed to make your home energy efficient and help you reduce your energy bills."

It then lists a series of measures including external wall insulation and a replacement boiler.

As a recent British Gas boiler check has stated that my boiler is old, with obsolete parts and running inefficiently, a new boiler would be really cool. :cool:

Whenever funding or costs are mentioned the letter states "E.ON could fund up to 100%* of costs".

When I go to the bottom of page 1, the * indicates a series of T&Cs which at no point indicates the amount of money involved. So I'm left none the wiser about actual ££££££s. :mad:

The best bit was page 2 - it was a copy of the planning permission granted by the council specifically mentioning my address! :eek:

"To check if your house could be suitable, we have already paid for and submitted the required planning application on your behalf. A copy is shown in this letter."

Has anyone been in this position? Did you have any work done? How much did it cost?

HappyMJ

A new boiler is unlikely unless you meet the very strict eligibility requirements. Most people can get insulation for free.

Gingernutty

According to British Gas, my current boiler efficiency rating is G (the lowest) and is in working order, which meets the criteria laid out in the letter.

The letter is vague and states that it is all subject to survey.

HappyMJ

Gingernutty wrote: »

According to British Gas, my current boiler efficiency rating is G (the lowest) and is in working order, which meets the criteria laid out in the letter.

The letter is vague and states that it is all subject to survey.

It's the words "up to" that worry me. It may be a scam to buy a new overpriced boiler with "up to" 100% of the costs paid for which may end up being something like 20% but buying a boiler from another company would have been cheaper anyway. Do you really need a new boiler or just want a new boiler because of this letter? The cost/benefit calculation in replacing a working boiler does not usually make financial sense.

I'll give you an example let's say your heating bill comes to £600 for gas central heating and gas heated hot water with no gas used for cooking and no gas fires. The cost of gas is around 3.5p/kWh so for £600 you get the national average of 16,500kWh of gas. Your boiler is 65% efficient so you get 10,725kWh of usable heat. If you installed a 90% efficient boiler your heating bill would reduce to 12,000kWh saving you 4,500kWh of gas at 3.5p saving you £150 per year. Now you need to work out the cost of the boiler and divide that over 15 years the expected lifespan of new boilers. It rarely works out better until the old boiler has finally become BER (beyond economical repair).

maninthestreet

What was the planning application for? You don't need PP to replace a boiler or install/improve loft insulation.

Gingernutty

The direct quote on the planning permission:-

"Installation of external wall insulation to property with smooth finish render to all solid brick walls except damp proof coursing."

The area is pretty run down and has money like this thrown at it in the past. When I bought it, the area was receiving European Union money to bring houses up to date, had special stamp duty measures in place to encourage sales and still has a dedicated charity trying to bring in funding from a variety of sources - private, government, charity and EU.

My house already has double glazing, a relatively new roof and loft insulation beyond minimum requirements - all put in before I bought the house.

Gingernutty

HappyMJ wrote: »

It's the words "up to" that worry me.

And me!

So, I went to the little presentation that they had for this project and as well as picking out which colour I preferred for the render (a kind of soft, off-yellow), I asked about costs.

And it's all free! :T

Apart from building planning costs....

Nope, its all free! :T

Apart from a few optional extras


The explanation I was given is that it's a special energy saving project, the basics of which are free.

That's the external foam insulation and render, any extra loft insulation and as long as the boiler fulfills their 'requirements' (G rating, still working), a new boiler.

Extras will cost. If I want a new washing line hook to replace the one covered by the insulation - that's extra (about £11). A new porch? Extra. A new loft ladder? Extra. A new outside tap? Extra.

Stuff that needs to be replaced before the insulation is installed is extra. Taking off and then refitting the exisiting guttering and downpipes is part of the service.

So the 'basics' should come to no more than about £200 - £300 all in.

Yeah, I'm still cynical too........

Still, there's no harm in getting a free survey done, is there?

Gingernutty

Aaaaaaaand nothing.

Since I went to the little roadshow presentation I've heard nothing.

Strange, considering that they were keen to start surveying and starting the work within two weeks (this was at the end of March).

I can't help thinking this is some sort of 'tick box' exercise but can't fathom what it would accomplish.

While I've been of sick, I've been tottering around the house pulling out all the brochures and leaflets and some of the stuff I've been given is no longer in date!

There is one house in this entire area that's getting the treatment and although it looks impressive, there's no sign up to say who's doing it, or who to call or anything.

So if anyone knows about the E.On part of the Community Energy Saving Programme in Wolverhampton, can they get in touch? Thanks.

Gingernutty

I had a survey today.

The house is getting the full external wall insulation treatment with the decorative render and the bathroom has a cavity wall - so that's getting cavity wall insulation.

They're going to ask if the bathroom can get a decorative render to match the rest of the house - otherwise it's going to stick out like a sore thumb.

They're also going to 'let me know' about the boiler. They didn't do any tests, they just took down the make and model and that was it.

And all I have to pay for is the planning application costs.....

.............and the scaffolding.

Again, they were very cagey about actual numbers. I'm going to get something through the post that will explain everything.


Can't wait.

Gingernutty

Not bad.

Building Control Notices £48.36

Scaffold Licences (subject to council requirements if on pavement) £58.00

Optional Extras

Replace rainwater down pipes for new £25.00

Supply and Fit new outside tap £36.00

That's £167.36 for everything they've quoted and £131.36 for stuff I actually might need - I don't currently have or need an outside tap.


However. No mention of the boiler or the render required for the bathroom to match the rest of the house.

I've got 30 days to call their FreeFone number to agree to the quote. I'll see what they say next Tuesday (pay day).

maninthestreet

Scaffold can be expensive.