Solid wall insulation - is it free?

RickMoney

Hi,

I was reading the Green Deal Mythbusting page on Martins site and there is a section that states that anyone is entitled to free solid wall insulation.

Is this still the case??

I can't find it on my energy suppliers site.

We are renovating an old 1850's cottage that has solid walls, no insulation, and we intend to get internal insulation.

We are not on benefits or support so don't quality for the means tested things like boilers.

Who do you contact to find out?

Thanks

Rick

[Deleted User]

I have seen these being done in some areas where all are getting it done free, regardless of income or any benefits, except for council owned properties. One area getting it done free, I was told, was at the cost of EDF

A.Penny.Saved

It does depend upon income if it's done under ECO. It can mean that you get a fairly substantial contribution to the cost but I very much doubt that you will get it done for free unless you are on benefits.

I recommend that are very careful doing internal insulation because you could end up with rotten timbers. It can be very risky, a risk that I was unwilling to take.

You will need to check whether any energy companies are doing or planning on doing work in your area. Your local council might know more. Low income areas seem to be the areas that they are working in because many people will be getting some kind of benefit and therefore more likely to go ahead because it won't cost them anything. Many people may struggle to find a couple of thousand £s.

RickMoney

So it seems to be dependant on your location rather than benefits?

Is there a list of areas anywhere - I'll try calling the energy line tomorrow anyway but would like to know as much up front.

Cheers,

Rick

RickMoney

A.Penny.Saved wrote: »

It does depend upon income if it's done under ECO. It can mean that you get a fairly substantial contribution to the cost but I very much doubt that you will get it done for free unless you are on benefits.

I recommend that are very careful doing internal insulation because you could end up with rotten timbers. It can be very risky, a risk that I was unwilling to take.

You will need to check whether any energy companies are doing or planning on doing work in your area. Your local council might know more. Low income areas seem to be the areas that they are working in because many people will be getting some kind of benefit and therefore more likely to go ahead because it won't cost them anything. Many people may struggle to find a couple of thousand £s.

I understand but it's in a conservation area and we would not do external insulation as our personal preference is against render. I'll see what info I can find tomorrow but it was the comment on Martins article (section 13 - http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/green-deal) that made me think it would be open to all.

Rick

Richie-from-the-Boro

Rural & areas of low income that will be eligible for ECO support

- look up your LSOA Code

RickMoney

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

Rural & areas of low income that will be eligible for ECO support

- look up your LSOA Code

Thanks for that link. Going through the sites links to the statistics sites it looks like our postcode is listed as 'Hamlet and Isolated Dwellings' which it states is eligible - so looks promising. I'll now need to look at how to go about getting the ball rolling on it.

Thanks,

Rick

Pincher

Solid wall? Not Cavity wall?


We are talking £10,000 vs. £500, right?


If you get it, we will all be paying for it. FREE?

thenudeone

There are a number of schemes to insulate properties where insulation couldn't otherwise be justified because the payback is so long (because they are so expensive). These apply regardless of postcode, income or benefits.

This includes solid walls and three storey, narrow, uneven or obstructed or otherwise hard to treat cavity walls. Once the criteria is triggered, other insulation in the house can also be provided free.

But I understand the actual amount of funding provided depends on the annual carbon savings, which the insulator / green deal provider can then "sell" to companies who need to be able to demonstrate carbon emission reductions.

Ironically this could mean you'll get more funding if you have an old inefficient boiler, because the carbon savings from insulation are higher!

The government will shortly be consulting on removing / reducing / delaying the deadline for some of the energy company obligations, which fund these schemes. This might mean it may be very difficult to get funding even though technically the schemes still exist.

Different providers will interpret the criteria for each scheme differently, (for example: is it a 3-storey house or a 2-storey house with an attic conversion?) so shop around if there is even a chance that you are eligible.

You would need an energy performance certificate and green deal advice report, but an insulation installer would usually be prepared to do this for free if they thought that funding was there and they were going to get the work.

I would ring around local insulation providers with green deal certification (usually mentioned on websites) and see what they can do.

You could try searching here http://gdorb.decc.gov.uk/find-a-green-deal-supplier/advanced but in my experience the list of exactly what type of work each company is certified for is sometimes different from the website.

thenudeone

Pincher wrote: »

If you get it, we will all be paying for it. FREE?

And if we as a society don't reduce our carbon emissions, then everyone on the planet will be paying for it (although admittedly not on their fuel bills).

Pincher

thenudeone wrote: »

And if we as a society don't reduce our carbon emissions, then everyone on the planet will be paying for it (although admittedly not on their fuel bills).

Have fewer children. Even if the child grows up extra green, the life time total of its carbon emissions will be horrendous.


Everyone living in an old shack built from pallets and corrugated roof in the Philippines is expecting you to build them a proper storm proof house. Everyone who bought an old banger is waiting for you to give them a nice new electric car. People will buy and live in any old junk because that is all they CAN AFFORD. No moral judgement: half of society are by definition below average, whether it be wealth or opportunity.


There is some kind of delusion that this country is a first class country, and we should buy all the people in second class a first class ticket. Well, I CAN'T AFFORD it.