Any grants available to non benefit claimer

nicimaxwell

Hi there,

I am about to move into my first mortgaged house. Its been bought at the absolute ceiling of what we can afford and really needs some fixing up.

The first priority when we move in is insulation. It's currently on band E for energy efficiency. It needs cavity and loft insulation and ideally a new boiler as the main things.

My husband earns £30k a year and myself about £5 in a little pt job in the evenings, we have 2 small children.

Does anyone know of any schemes running apart from the green deal that might help us make our home warmer and more energy efficient?

many thanks:j

new_owner

Get the loft done first... weekend job and under £100 if you do it yourself (try for 270mm as the min)

Read up on cavity wall insulation before going down that road.

Ecodave

Any free loft and/or cavity wall insulation will be installed under the Energy Company Obligation. Contact the Energy Savings Trust on 0300 1231234 for advice about insulation and the scheme. Qualification under this scheme can be related to benefits status, or on the walls of your house being classed as "Hard-to-Treat". This can be established by an insulation surveyor visiting your property.

PollySouthend

The energy ratings of houses is one big big con.

You need to research very carefully before you get CWI, I would NEVER get it done. The cavity is there for a reason. Plenty of cowboys are going and filling it in because of all the "free" public money thrown at them. Causing chronic damp and rotting problems while the cowboys ride away into the sunset refusing to take the blame

matelodave

I'm in my third house with CWI (cavity wall insulation) and in all three cases it has made a difference to my energy bills by reducing them, improved the comfort of all the houses and has never caused either damp or rotting problems, I can say the same for both my Mum & MIL so I'm afraid that Polly is talking b-ll-x again.

I can't understand some of the strange ideas she's gets. All I can say is that she must be very gullible to read and believe some of the rubbish she spouts

PollySouthend

matelodave wrote: »

I'm in my third house with CWI (cavity wall insulation) and in all three cases it has made a difference to my energy bills by reducing them, improved the comfort of all the houses and has never caused either damp or rotting problems, I can say the same for both my Mum & MIL so I'm afraid that Polly is talking b-ll-x again.

I can't understand some of the strange ideas she's gets. All I can say is that she must be very gullible to read and believe some of the rubbish she spouts

Your in Cambridge right? A sheltered area.

CWI insulation is being installed with public money all over the country in unsuitable places and is causing problems. Ask people in the south west or coastal regions that have had it done.

But hey feel free to just criticise me with your uninformed (lack of) knowledge if that makes you feel good.

macman

Ely, 'sheltered"? Are you kidding? It's on the edge of the Fens, and consequently probably one of the dampest parts of the UK.
I know numerous people in the south west who have had CWI for years without issues.

macman

A new boiler should be last on your priority list, as long as it's working. Just get it serviced.
A new 'efficient' condensing boiler will take many years to pay back in energy savings, maybe 10 years, which can often be the life of a new boiler.
Loft insulation you can do yourself for £100, CWI is not expensive either.

PollySouthend

macman wrote: »

Ely, 'sheltered"? Are you kidding? It's on the edge of the Fens, and consequently probably one of the dampest parts of the UK.
I know numerous people in the south west who have had CWI for years without issues.

Why do so many people around here so confidently spout off absolute rubbish?

Cams is one of the least exposed areas to wind and rain in the country.

link http://www.which.co.uk/energy/creating-an-energy-saving-home/guides/cavity-wall-insulation/cavity-wall-insulation-damp-problems/

Just because you and your mum haven't had issues with it doesn't mean there are not issues with it. It's foolish to say "its fine have it done", all I'm saying is research it properly yet many mugs around here just like to jump into things without taking proper advice. fools.

PollySouthend

macman wrote: »

Loft insulation you can do yourself for £100, CWI is not expensive either.

CWI is very expensive when it goes wrong. I'm looking at close to 4k to repair the damage done by it.

sheffield_lad

PollySouthend wrote: »

CWI is very expensive when it goes wrong. I'm looking at close to 4k to repair the damage done by it.

Hi have you tried CIGA guarantee?

I must have visited/surveyed over 6 thousand installations of CWI and rarely come across any issues. In the vast majority of cases the pro's far out weigh the cons.