Loft Insulation Grants - latest

Telegraph_Sam

Several threads on this appear to have been "closed" in recent years but the topic is now as relevant as it ever was.

I have been trying without much success to find out just what the latest offers and sources, rules and regs are if one wants to take advantage of the Government's (and Opposition's !!) exhortations to insulate one's home are concerned. I have been told that the qualifying conditions have changed since I had my loft done many years ago. But approaches to my local  authority (Co Durham) and local insulation contractors have not produced any results - other than that the magic word is "OCE" to which some installers subscribe and which may or may not be the key to accessing financial support. Is it the case that if there is already a minimum layer of insulation present then no one wants to know in the case of topping it up?
I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who has been through these hoops lately and has lived to tell the tale.

Alnat1

Seems most grants will pay some of the cost towards getting a company in to do the job.

Usually works out cheaper to nip to the nearest DIY store, buy a few rolls and install it yourself (or get friends/family to help)

FreeBear

Alnat1 said: Usually works out cheaper to nip to the nearest DIY store, buy a few rolls and install it yourself (or get friends/family to help)

The likes of Wickes and B&Q have regular "special" offers on loft insulation. Sometimes a "three for two", or "buy three, get discount" type offers. For an average size loft, you don't need to spend a fortune, and it is easy to install if you're reasonably fit & mobile.

Telegraph_Sam

For my loft (low pitch roof) I would definitely want to get a professional with all the gear to install it. What I am trying to establish is, regardless of who does the work, can I apply for a grant somewhere to help pay the gentleman for his work (or does the grant somehow attach to the contractor)?

Alnat1

All the gear? You mean something like a large pair of scissors or a knife to cut the insulation roll into the correct lengths? Maybe soe gloves and a face mask cos that stuff is itchy?

I think most households have "all the gear" necessary.

Telegraph_Sam

Those are the items that spring to mind as being what the professionals use. Frankly with the restricted access and headroom in my loft I would happily pay a contractor to do the work rather than rely on my own (lack of) experience for a difficult job

Telegraph_Sam

My conclusion is that there is some government grant towards loft insulation under the name of "ECO" [Energy Company Obligation??] BUT that one does not qualify if one has already got cavity wall insulation. Also the boiler would have to be replaced at the same time. Have I got my facts right? And is this the only source of such home insulation grants?

JohnPo

Telegraph_Sam said:

My conclusion is that there is some government grant towards loft insulation under the name of "ECO" [Energy Company Obligation??] BUT that one does not qualify if one has already got cavity wall insulation. Also the boiler would have to be replaced at the same time. Have I got my facts right? And is this the only source of such home insulation grants?

The latest version iteration of the 'ECO' scheme ECO4 is available to home owners who are on certain means tested benefits, where the EPC is D or lower and as you have identified if you already have any loft or cavity insulation however poor there is no funding. Broken gas boiler replacements are now capped at such a low number, that in reality you won't get one. 

Details of qualifying criteria can be found herehttps://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/ECO4 .  If you want to read the full details on the governments thinking when the consultation started 12 months ago before all the energy prices skyrocketed https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/design-of-the-energy-company-obligation-eco4-2022-2026

Telegraph_Sam

Thanks for your links. Since writing  my last post I have been told that everything with ECO 4 is in a state of flux until the govt / Ofgem come up with their final definitive guidelines - which are imminent but yet to happen. At that point I should contact either my own energy supply company - or any other. It's possible I suppose that the contractor I spoke to has come  up with their own guidelines in the interim.

brewerdave

Trouble is ,if HMG start waving "grants" around for insulation ,all the cowboys come out of hibernation - bombard unsuspecting householders with the usual garbage and when given an opportunity ,will "install" substandard insulation that will do virtually nothing for the customer and drain more money from the taxpayer.

Staffordian11

I applied to have my low pitch roof insulated a few years ago under a scheme offered by (IIRC) my then energy company.

A chap came out and immediately said they could not offer a service if the maximum internal height was under a certain figure, which ours was.

I've since done it as best I can myself. In addition to the usual mask, scissors, gloves etc, a snow shovel was invaluable to ease the insulation into the eaves, which could not be reached. Not an ideal job, but better than the negligible amount there previously.