CAVITY WALL INSULATION GRANTS

Grants are available to pay for the entire cost of having Cavity Wall Insulation professionally installed in your home. Anyone in receipt of a qualifying benefit or living in an area where fuel poverty is higher than average will qualify.

The grant funding is part of the Government's new Green Deal Energy Efficiency program and is known as the Energy Companies Obligation (ECO). Those who do not qualify for a Green Deal Grant can still register for Green Deal Finance, which allows anyone to have energy efficient products installed without any up-front cost.

With energy costs continuing to rise, Cavity Wall Insulation is one of the best ways to reduce your heating bills. Un-insulated Cavity Walls can cause up to 35% of the heat in a property to escape. Having Cavity Insulation typically saves a household up to £140 each year.

Who qualifies for a Cavity Wall Insulation Grant?

The main criteria is that you own or privately rent your property. Council and Housing Association tenants should apply directly to their Council or Housing Association as we are unable to assist.

Grants cover the full cost of installing Cavity Wall Insulation if anyone in the property receives a qualifying income-related benefit. Those who live in areas of higher fuel poverty can also qualify for a grant. All other householders will qualify for Green Deal Finance to have energy-saving measures installed in their homes without any up-front cost.

Someone living in the property must be in receipt of at least one of the six main benefits shown on the left below. Pension Credit and Child Tax Credit qualify automatically but the other four main benefits require a qualifying component.

* With Income-Related Employment Support Allowance only.

Read more about who qualifies for a Green Deal Grant or enter your postcode into the box below to see how EnergyLink can help.

What is Cavity Wall Insulation?

Most properties built of brick between 1924 and 1982 are likely to have a cavity between two layers of brick, or between brick and block that was not filled with insulation when the property was built.

After 1982, building regulations changed and required insulation to be fitted in the Cavity at the time of build. Before 1924, properties were generally built without a cavity.

Most Installers use Cavity Insulation made from shredded mineral wool (glass fibre), that can reduce the amount of heat escaping from the walls by up to 35%. Cavity Wall Insulation can save you up to £140 per year on energy bills and reduce carbon emissions by up to 610kg.

Is my property suitable for Cavity Wall Insulation?

Recent research, carried out by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), showed that only 58% of all properties that can benefit from Cavity Wall Insulation have been insulated. Your property could be among the remaining 42% still to be insulated.

The first thing to check before applying for a Grant is whether your home has cavity walls. Most properties built of brick from 1924 onwards are likely to have a cavity. If your property was built before 1924, it is likely to have solid walls as shown below:

Another way to tell whether your property has a cavity is if the walls are at least 250mm (10") thick. Properties that are built after 1982 should already have Cavity Wall Insulation, as building regulations changed to ensure it was fitted during construction.

If you think that your property already has Cavity Wall Insulation, it is not worth applying for a Grant as Cavity Wall Insulation cannot be topped up.

You will NOT be able to have Cavity Wall Insulation installed if:

If your property has solid walls, rather than cavity walls, you may be able to claim a Grant for External Wall Insulation at a later date. Read More about External Wall Insulation Grants.

Cavity Wall Insulation frequently asked questions

How long does it take to install Cavity Wall Insulation?
An averaged size property will take around two to three hours.

Will I receive a guarantee?
Yes. The Installer will apply for a 25 year guarantee through CIGA, the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency.

How can I tell if my walls are already filled with Cavity Wall Insulation?
If you look closely, especially under the windows, you may be able to see where holes have been drilled and filled with cement. These holes will normally be around the size of a 10p piece.

Can I get Cavity Wall Insulation if I live in a flat?
The Insulation must be installed from the ground floor to the roof. Each property is assessed individually for the Grant, so you must have the consent of any neighbours above and below before applying. In addition, we can only process applications for a maximum of three storeys and only one property wide i.e. three dwellings.

What if I have damp in my walls?
You will need to have the problem checked and repaired before applying for Cavity Wall Insulation through EnergyLink. A local builder may be able to help you to assess this.

Are there any health risks from Cavity Wall Insulation?
No. The Insulation is sealed within the walls. Glass fibre is also derived from sand which fits in with the natural brick and mortar fabric of the property.

Where can I find more information?
CIGA have produced a PDF fact sheet which can be downloaded Here.

Cavity Wall Insulation savings

Cavity Wall Insulation prevents up to 35% of the heat generated in your home from escaping. This results in lower energy bills because your heating can be turned on less often and for shorter periods. Savings of up to £140 per year are possible.

Because less fossil fuel is being burned, Cavity Wall Insulation will also reduce carbon emissions by up to 610kg per year, therefore helping to protect the environment from global warming.

How can EnergyLink help?

Our online form will make sure an approved Installer operates in your area, check that your property is likely to be suitable and give you an indication of whether you are likely to qualify for a Green Deal Grant or Finance.

You can then enter your details and we will allocate you to an approved Installer in your local area. Our Installer will then contact you to book a free no-obligation survey to confirm your grant entitlement and make sure that your property is suitable. The surveyor will also advise you of any other measures you may qualify for, such as Loft Insulation or a replacement Boiler.

If you are happy to proceed after the survey, the Installer will arrange the work. Once the Cavity Wall Insulation is fitted, our Installer will claim the Grant amount from an Energy Company or one of their agents. If you do not qualify for a grant, the installer will be able to help you obtain Green Deal Finance. They will then apply for the 25 year Cavity Guarantee through CIGA.