Free loft insulation - is this a scam?

ItchyFeet

I've had free loft insulation installed by an energy company (not the one i'm with) and it was totally free. My own energy company contracted it to Rockwarm who said my loft was bigger than standard and so wanted an extra 50 quid. My house is a two up two down so i don't see how that can be bigger than standard!

However, at no point was i asked by either company for my national insurance number.

sillygoose

is it just me who has most the loft boarded and full of junk?

To have this done would cost me a fortune as I would have to batten up all the joists to be able to put the boards down again. Or persuade the wife to actually get rid of the junk.

Not sure which would be more grief!

keystone

Leif wrote: »

Government grants due to EU targets. The catch is that 'free' insulation, and heavily subsided solar and wind, lead to a significant increase in all of our fuel bills. And yet many of those who installed solar are wealthy people, who paid cash for the cells, and are making a mint. Insulation is good.

Thanks. So there is a catch then after all - thought so.

Cheers

lilyvhs01

we have recently had both loft and cavity wall insulation done, completely free. We are homeowners and both work and are not in receipt of any benefits, we live in the south

fatbikersbouncebetter

D2bdebtfree wrote: »

Hi, I'd really sppreciate the details of the firm you used. I'm looking to get this done as soon as, winter will be here before we know it:eek:!!
I'm in the Manchester area, thanks.

07941813255 Energty Save rep for Manchester, did ours.

paulmapp8306

fatbikersbouncebetter wrote: »

No catch....... it sbeen done now, and they ain't taking it out again

The paperwork was clear, the job was free..... bonus. :T:T:T

Only downside..... my flooring in the loft won't go down all the way now cos the insulation is a foot thick.:rotfl::rotfl:

Thats a down side - you cant lay boards over the free insulation. you can get "insulated boards" that go in place of said insulation - but thats not free.

Im having mine done - and their insulating over my boards - so I still have a firm base, but are also leaving a walkway from the hatch to the water tank, and a small area for storage (that I marked) uninsulated so allow storage. If you put cardboard under the boards its nearly as good - the insulation is via the air gaps in the insulation material, and cardboard is make of corrigated board, so layer of that are pretty good.

fazz79

zuzuspetals wrote: »

Two young girls came to my door on Saturday afternoon from a company called Direct Savings. They told be about the grants being given for loft insulation and told me that their company would come and insulate my loft for free. They had a look in my loft, got me to fill a form and booked a slot for somebody to come and do the loft on Friday. They said that the company would apply for the grant on my behalf and I gave them my national insurance number.

I'm now worried that I may have been a bit stupid. I didn't ask for ID. The form that I have doesn't have a company logo on it (it does have a number, which I called and is genuine). I panicked slightly because they said the grants would be stopped next month but I wish I had thought about it a bit more and made some enquiries before giving my details.

Has anybody else had free loft insulation put in? Should I cancel this and go with a more well known company? Also, I'm not on any benefits, and other websites that I've looked at say that I should be in order to qualify.

This is my first flat, I live on my own and am totally clueless about this sort of thing. I live in Scotland by the way - not sure if that makes any difference!

Hi zuzu, I am also from Scotland and in the same boat as yourself. I'm meant to be getting mine done tomorrow by Direct Savings.
Although, to be fair I never handed over the National insurance number. I wanted to get some advice.

Apparently, from the advice I was given it looks genuine. There are grants in place that companies are taking advantage of and their being paid well for it. Each sales person that comes to your door gets £50 for every completed form. Not bad for 2 minutes work.

Have you had yours done yet?

Arbuckle

Thanks for this all of you - I have just sent on my details so I can get surveyed.

lynzylou

I had a guy here yesterday from direct savings, offering the free government granted insulation. Previous to this, I think last year i contacted my energy supplier, scottish or british gas same thing to see if we qualified for this free grant as we don't claim any benefits, a guy from sscottish gas came out and said our insulation was under the recommended guide but it was over what they class as 2 little 2 be granted a top up. Apparently according to this guy yesterday from direct savings scottish gas have been doin this alot and when he looked he said we would qualify. He did say however cavity wall insulation if we wanted we would have to pay but our house isnt suitable for this kind of insulation anyway. The company is coming out to do the job in 2 weeks time. It does sound a bit 2 good 2 be true but i've went with it, I will double chek with the guys when they come that it is completely free b4 they start doing it.

Kernel_Sanders

Something that hasn't been made clear is that you shouldn't hand over money to an installer on the pretext of getting it returned later from the Govt. If you do, the installer will get the grant and you are unlikely ever see them again!