Energy Guides

Insulation grants

By Daniel Barnes daniel@consumerchoices.co.uk

A fifth of a home’s heat is lost through the loft and a third is lost via walls. But there are steps you can take to cut down on heat loss.

To help make your home more energy efficient, and so cut your energy bills, there are a range of insulation grants on offer to help with the cost of loft insulation or cavity wall insulation.

Insulation help

Loft insulation

Around 20% of all heat from a home is lost via the loft. It is possible to install loft insulation yourself and there are schemes to lower the cost. It is also worth checking out the major DIY retailers as they often have discounts on insulation.

Insulation is rolled out in the loft and acts as a block to heat escaping. It also helps to keep the home cooler in summer.

Cavity wall insulation

Walls are a major source of heat loss. Homes built after around 1930 and before 1995 generally have empty cavities that can be filled.

However, installing cavity wall insulation is not a DIY job and you’ll need to call in the experts. Workers drill small holes in the exterior walls and then pump insulation into the empty cavity.

Interior and exterior wall insulation is also an option, with insulation attached to the outside walls of a home or boards placed on the inside walls.

Energy company insulation grants

The major energy companies have been called upon by the government to play their part in aiding people to improve energy efficiency in homes.

Households receiving one of a number of benefits including council tax benefit, income support or pension credits could benefit from free or discounted insulation from their energy supply.

Households not receiving benefits could also benefit.

British Gas works with 47 local councils so if they order insulation from the firm they could get a £125 rebate from the local authority, along with offering discounted rates on work.

Details of councils involved are available from British Gas. (www.britishgas.co.uk)

Other major energy companies are also involved independently or with local authorities and charities to provide

Warm Front

Warm Front offers grants of up to £3,500 for heating and insulation for low income and vulnerable households.

See our guide to Warm Front, along with the options for those living in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Independent Schemes

The Tesco Home Insulation Service offers discounted and free insulation packages across mainland Great Britain.(www.tesco.com/insulation)

A similar offer is provided by the Heat Project with discounted packages of loft and cavity insulation packages. Grants do not cover DIY projects, but prices start from under £200, which could be recouped in lower energy bills in a year. (www.heatproject.co.uk)

Both schemes are run by Enact Energy and funding comes from the major energy companies as a part of the government’s Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) scheme.

The fuel poverty charity National Energy Action runs the Warm Zones initiative in 15 areas across the UK.

Working with councils and energy companies, the charity offers insulation, draughtproofing and heating grants to fuel poor and vulnerable households. (www.warmzones.co.uk)

Councils

Many local councils around the country also are involved in schemes with charities and energy firms to provide insulation.

Visit your local council website for more details.

The Mayor of London with British Gas is offering cut price DIY home insulation kits.

Kits cost £49 and include protective gloves, masks and goggles, insulation, pipe lagging, a cold water tank jacket and installation instructions.

Cavity wall insulation is available from £274 and once installation is completed the Major and British Gas provide £100 cashback.

Free insulation is available for the over 70s and people on certain benefits.(www.london.gov.uk/insulate)

Details of all insulation grant schemes across the country are available through the Energy Saving Trust’s Grants and Discounts Database. (www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Grants-and-Discounts-Database)