How to get free cavity wall and loft insulation
The Government's flagship Green Deal policy has launched today to little fanfare. This scheme offers loans for energy efficiency improvements, from loft insulation to solar panels, which will be repaid via a household's energy bills. But you can still get free insulation right now.
Back in April 2008, the then-Labour Government introduced the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT), which the Green Deal is replacing. This put some of the responsibility for reducing carbon dioxide emissions on the shoulders of the big energy companies.
As part of CERT, companies have to offer financial help with energy efficiency measures, such as loft and wall insulation. They also have to increase the amount of energy they generate from renewable technologies such as wind and solar power.
In July 2010, the current Government extended the final phase of CERT from March 2011 to December 2012. It also ordered the energy companies to focus on insulation and imposed a tougher emissions reduction target.
And the really great thing is that you don’t have to get the insulation installed by the company who supplies your energy.
It’s estimated that good loft and cavity wall insulation could shave an average of £310 a year off energy bills.
However, time is running out to take advantage of this final period of free insulation offers before the Green Deal loans begin in January. If you're on a low income or benefits, you could also receive shopping vouchers or cash once your installation is completed.
What the energy companies are offering
Here’s a breakdown of what’s on offer by company and the deadlines for applying:
Company | Offer open to | Deadline for applying |
British Gas | Everyone | 30th November |
EDF | Everyone | 31st October |
npower | Households where someone receives State Pension Credit or Child Tax Credits (with an income below £16,190) | December |
E.ON | Households where someone receives State Pension Credit or Child Tax Credits (with an income below £16,190) | December |
You might not qualify if…
There are also some further exceptions to the rules.
Firstly, in terms of loft insulation, you’re unlikely to qualify if:
You already have more than 60mm thick loft insulation
The company cannot insulate two-thirds of the loft space
The installation requires additional equipment – in this case, you can still have it done, but you’ll have to pay something towards the installation
You have a large (five-bedroom plus) or unusual property
You live in the far north and islands of Scotland
And you may be ineligible for cavity wall insulation if:
You have pre-existing cavity wall insulation
The company cannot insulate at least two-thirds of the wall’s cavities
The installation requires additional equipment – in this case, you can still have it done, but you’ll have to pay something towards the installation
You have a large (five-bedroom plus) or unusual property
You live in the far north and islands of Scotland
However, this does vary from company to company so check before you rule anything in or out.
Don’t qualify? You can still save on insulation
If you don’t qualify for free insulation for whatever reason, you can still get discounted installation with all of the major energy companies, and others such as Sainsbury’s Energy. Shop around to get the cheapest installation price – it may not be with an energy company. Whatever road you go down, make sure whoever’s installing it is a member of either:
The National Insulation Association (NIA)
The Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency (CIGA)
The British Board of Agrément (BBA)
Remember to also check that:
Your installer is signed up to a code of professional practice like the one provided by the NIA
The cavity wall installation is guaranteed for 25 years by CIGA
Help for low-income households
In addition to help with cavity wall and loft insulation, there are schemes around the UK to help you with other aspects of heating and insulation:
In England, there’s Warm Front
In Wales there’s Nest (not to be confused with the workplace pension scheme)
In Scotland there’s the Energy Assistance Package
In Northern Ireland, there’s the Warm Homes scheme
Local authority grants
Many local authorities also have grants available to local residents to help them pay for energy efficient measures. The Energy Saving Trust website has a grants and discounts section, as does Consumer Focus.