HPO (Lichfield, Staffs) - has anyone used this company for ECO & GBIS home energy saving work?

Lenny_2013

Last night a very pleasant young chap from www.hposales.com knocked on my door to tell me about the government funded ECO & GBIS energy saving grants.

I live in a 1930's semi-detached house, with no cavity wall insulation and it gets very cold in winter. The guy mentioned that they could replace my old loft insulation (With a newer more energy efficient type) and insulate the exterior side wall by attaching plaster board to it and painting and rendering it.

It's a tempting offer as it wouldn't cost me anything as I'm claiming universal credit due to ill health. At the same time, my house is nicely painted and rendered, so I would want a very good job and not end up in some nightmare situation where they ruin the look of the house!

Has anyone else had any energy saving work carried out by HPO?

FreeBear

Lenny_2013 said: I live in a 1930's semi-detached house, with no cavity wall insulation and it gets very cold in winter. The guy mentioned that they could replace my old loft insulation (With a newer more energy efficient type) and insulate the exterior side wall by attaching plaster board to it and painting and rendering it.

If this is spray foam insulation they are pushing for the loft, you need to give them a swift, sharp kick up the backside. Spray foam will devalue your property and quite possibly cause the roof timbers to rot.

I have a late 1920s semi here with a mix of cavity and solid brick walls. Whilst loft insulation has made a huge difference to cutting heat loss, cavity and IWI hasn't made a noticeable difference. However, the IWI has cut down the formation of mould on a couple of the exterior walls. So it has some value.

Aside from loft insulation, having new windows & doors all round has been a major improvement. Much of it down to better fitting and sealing of draughts around the old frames - Wrapping the IWI around the window reveals makes sure the draughts are plugged, and also reduces the cold bridging in that area.

Side note - This HPO outfit appears to be a lead generating company, so it is unlikely that they will be carrying out any of the work themselves. This adds a layer of complication should problems with the work arise in the future. You may also find that you have less control on how the work is carried out and the level of finish. You may find that you are responsible for reinstating stuff like skirting & architraves (including painting).