Free loft & wall insulation!

caroline7758

The utlility companies have got to help people improve the energy efficiency of their homes, so most of them are now offering FREE loft and cavity wall insulation to older people and those on certain benefits. An article in Saturday's guardian gave details of the British gas offer (you don't have to be a BG customer) and I have seen npower's details on their website, haven't looked at the others so far.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/jan/12/consumeraffairs1

Terrylw1

This has started happening due to the Social Action Plan and some fuel poor people have had access for some time.

Generally anyone receiving certain benefits or over 65 can claim these anyway even without your utility. My folks are are both retired and over 65 and they were visited by a company calling on those claiming pension credit via the local council.

Your local council or BA will have info on it as well.

Some Suppliers (there have been a few threads on the gas&elec board) are giving discounts to fuel poor customers on their unit prices as well.

samtheman1k

Does anyone else feel a bit disapppointed that just because I work and pay my taxes, I'm not entitled to things such as this?

Terrylw1

samtheman1k wrote: »

Does anyone else feel a bit disapppointed that just because I work and pay my taxes, I'm not entitled to things such as this?

If the services are being offered to the elderly, disabled and vulnerable - no.
However, there will always be the scoungers - so yes to that.

Since it extends to the elderly it may be a service a lot of us may access.

For instance, my parents had their cavity wall insulation done free. They are over 65, they have worked all of their lives and hate claiming or asking for anything as it's not how they have lived their lives.

I think they are entitled to a little back for all they have put in.

duchy

samtheman1k wrote: »

Does anyone else feel a bit disapppointed that just because I work and pay my taxes, I'm not entitled to things such as this?

Are you also disappointed that you can't claim JSA ?
If you don't have kids are you disappointed to be paying for education ?
If you aren't disabled are you disappointed not to be getting DLA ?
Or maybe you're pleased that you don't need extra help-and sleep easier knowing that if you do become old, unemployed, disabled or unable to afford basics like insulation that you will be treated with humanity by the rest of society. Many of the people claiming this help will have paid tax in the past -just like you do now-maybe they thought they'd never be in the situation they are now too.

samtheman1k

I agree to an extent, but just because I'm earning, doesn't mean I can afford insulation either!

Jo.G

I agree with samtheman. I would love a little help to make my house warmer and more energy efficient (especially with two children) but as we both work we arent entitled so are still on the E7 storage heaters (no gas supply).

Terrylw1

Jo.G wrote: »

I agree with samtheman. I would love a little help to make my house warmer and more energy efficient (especially with two children) but as we both work we arent entitled so are still on the E7 storage heaters (no gas supply).

Getting a gas supply alone would help since elec costs more.

Terrylw1

These services are supposed to be for those who cannot go and find work i.e. the elderly or the disabled.

They are not meant for the scroungers but sadly they will benefit in some cases if they are below the fuel poverty line.

These services come out of our taxes. So, the same could be said for disability benefits.

samtheman1k

Terrylw1 wrote: »

Getting a gas supply alone would help since elec costs more.

Not necessairly as the cost of installing gas in a house could be far too expensive and not cost effective, assuming that it is even available.

GordonIsAMoron

Approx 1.5million households in UK and Ireland use oil for heating - not because they want to but because they have no other option. Gas is only availible in urban areas.
Why should elderly people get free insulation but someone with three small children cannot? As a pensioner HM The Queen (God bless her!) could get Buck Palace done for free even though she could probably afford it! Yet a young couple struggling to make ends meet and bring up their young kids cannot get the same thing just because they are going out to work.