Government grants - insulation

tek-monkey

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
Having had a stupidly large gas bill for the winter in my new place, I need to take measures to reduce it this year. I've noticed several places offering free insulation from gov grants if you are on benefits, but some say if you or anyone in the household is. My flatmate is on benefits, so am thinking of getting him to apply and get cavity wall and loft insulation sorted. May as well, I pay enough tax so getting it back is good!

So, anyone done this already? If so, who did you use and what was your experience with them?

As an example, I was looking here: http://www.cheapinsulation.co.uk/
 
Florence

Florence

Well-Known Forumite
This suggests that anyone can apply for a grant, not just people on benefits. Many sites are just companies cashing in, but this seemed fairly reputable.
Although it says the energy companies foot the bill, I would suggest making enquiries now. Anything is a legitimate target with the penny pinching government we have now.
 
C

cookie_monster

Well-Known Forumite
ive had all mine done for free...which as a full time working, home owning, none benefit claiming houshold is near amazing! :D

basically sheffield city council has been running a scheme to offer loft insulation and cavity wall insulation to all household in my area and the scheme is being spread across the city.

it was done in march so im waiting to see how it affects my bills this winter.


x
 
djstaffs

djstaffs

Well-Known Forumite
oopppsss posted on your loft plans thread about this.....

I looked at this a couple months ago but as a working person owning the house. The amount of grant i would of got would of made it a really good deal but was much cheaper to do it myself (wickes are offering something stupid like buy 2 get 3 free on rolls of insulation).

Obviously this was only loft insultation, cavity wall insulation wouldnt be a DIY job
 
tek-monkey

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
With a dole bludger in the house I should be able to get it free, but otherwise it'll be a DIY job I suspect. I can get the cavity wall stuff done for about £150 without a grant so not too bad.
 
Vault_girl

Vault_girl

Well-Known Forumite
I was going to post to advise avoiding cavity wall as I've been told in the past it can cause damp problems, however after checking up on it I think the newer installations have fixed this problem, and it was mostly down to poor installation. I'd go for a good reputable company though and if possible the beads rather than wool or fibres. you may also require some ventilation bricks on the outer wall to ensure air-flow. Ask the company about damp problems because I'm guessing a good company will have a good argument for why it will be OK. Most advice on the subject says to avoid cowboys so this is probably the most important thing to bare in mind.

Ooh and also on the loft insulation I'd recommend the "Knauf Space" loft insulation. It can be put over old insulation and because it's in bags is SOOOOO quick to do. My dad and partner did our whole loft in about 2 hours. We did get it whilst it was on special offer though because I think it can be a bit expensive otherwise.

My partner attempted to do the loft at his old place with wicks own loft insulation and after 2 full weekends they still hadn't managed to finish it all and were covered in itchy fluff for ages. Generally for the extra cost I'd be much happier to go for the space blankets. (they also do this foam board stuff too but I'm not too sure about it.
Only thing is I'm not sure if you can cover the space blankets with boards if you want to use the oft for storage. I thought I was told you couldn't but then I'm pretty sure they did so I would check that.
 
Gramaisc

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
There's a lot of people about with dampness which has appeared only after wall cavities were filled. And there's even more people who are benefitting from trouble-free extra cavity wall insulation. Competent installation of a suitable product in a suitable situation and you should be alright. One problem can be that in older houses the filling can reach below the damp-course level and wick moisture from the ground. A competent installer should spot that possibility. Best bet is to see if you can find someone locally, with a similar house, who has had it done a few years ago. If it's lasted that long with no problem, in a similar situation, and the installer still exists, then you might stand a good chance...

Some years ago I had a call from a pair working their way along our road trying to sign people up for cavity wall insulation. I doubt that I was the first person to point out to them that none of the houses in this road have a cavity to fill. They agreed with me that building an extra wall outside, just to fill it up was a bit silly. Then they went next-door...
 
tek-monkey

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
How do I tell if I have cavity walls? The particulars of the house said it did, but I don't know that for sure.
 
Gramaisc

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
Open a window and measure the width from the outside surface to the inner - remember that there will be a bit of plaster on the inside. A 'solid wall' will be two bricks wide, plus about a half inch gap - a cavity wall should have a gap around two and a half inches. I would expect the houses in your vicinity to be cavity walled..

If you want to be really sure then drill through a brick from outside and see how far away the outside of the inner leaf is.

Edit:- Of course, the inner leaf of a cavity wall may not be brick. It could well be blocks, which will be even wider..
 
tek-monkey

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
Just had an email from the place I applied for the grant, they will send someone round to check. Saves me the hassle!
 
Gramaisc

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
tek-monkey said:
EDIT: Any thoughts on this?
Click to expand...
It's an OK price. They are quite good. It is especially useful to have decent treads if you intend having frequent trips up the ladder - or you may have an infrequent trip down it...

Needs careful work to fit it neatly, though..
 
tek-monkey

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
I shall trust spleeny to do that bit for me, I'll see what the bloke says today about the insulation so I know when it needs to be in by. Ideally want the insulation sorted before it gets cold! Need to do the loft hatch first though, and put some timber down to raise the beams to the correct level. Then after getting the insulation installed I can board the thing over and actually use the space, hopefully I'll get the thing sorted by mid October.
 
Gramaisc

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
If you're considering using the roof-space a lot, then it might be worth considering insulating the roof itself, rather than the floor of the loft. It will actually get hotter, and colder, in the roof-space if the floor is highly insulated, but the roof isn't...

If you have tanks and pipes up there, then be sure they aren't left out in the cold, either..
 
tek-monkey

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
Its just for storage really, I want the insulated shed emptying so we can actually keep the bikes in it. It already has a ground anchor too so a bit more security. The main reason for the insulation is last winters power bills being awful, but I don't want to lose the space up there either. There are no pipes that I remember although I've only been up once TBH. The money I should be saving on insulation will pay for the work needed to make it useable, so may as well do it. I guess if I do end up using it a bit more I could fit a skylight and insulate the roof too.
 
Gramaisc

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
OK. It's a lot of work to insulate the roof itself, and not worth the effort unless you intend to be up there a lot.

If you get the roof totally clear before it's insulated it might be worth taking some records of wiring, etc. before it's all covered up. It's a sod to find stuff years later under a foot of itchy stuff.

Store the bikes in the roof - even more secure?..
 
tek-monkey

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
Good idea on the wiring, and just reminded me I have a broken fan/light mounted above the shower I need to fix first!

EDIT: One of these, better go look whats up with it in case it all needs replacing.
 
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