Loft Insulation
As energy bills continue to rise, Loft Insulation remains a cost-effective way to make large savings of up to £175 per year on your heating bills and will prevent up to 25% of your home’s heat from escaping through the roof.
For a limited time only, you could claim a 100% Free Insulation Grant, which are now available in almost all areas of the UK, to cover the full cost of Loft Insulation.
- 100% Free Insulation Grants in almost all UK areas.
- 40-70% Grants available to all other private households.
The Green Deal will replace Grants in Autumn 2012.- Claim a Free Insulation Grant today before they end.
Loft Insulation Grants are currently claimed by the Insulation Installer and do not have to be repaid; however, all Grants will be replaced by Green Deal loans, which will recover the upfront cost through charges on a household's energy bills. The Green Deal is due to start on 1st October 2012 and Grants are scheduled to end on 31st December 2012.
Under the Green Deal, the upfront cost of Insulation will be recovered through charges on a household’s energy bills. Don't wait to claim your Free Insulation Grant because there is no guarantee that they will last until the end of this year. Once the funding runs out, the scheme will end. Demand is increasing so don't leave it too late.
All private households qualify for a Grant
There are three kinds of Loft Insulation Grants available to private households. In almost all areas of the UK, Insulation Grants are now 100% free and will cover the full cost of installing Cavity Wall Insulation.
In other areas, a 100% Free Grant is available in private households where anyone is aged 70 or above, or in receipt of a qualifying benefit. All other private households are guaranteed to receive a Grant for between 40% and 70% of the cost. Read more about Government-backed Free Insulation Grants.
Claim a Free Loft Insulation Grant now, Apply Online while they are still available and waiting times are low.
Loft Insulation?
The Loft Insulation available on this Grant scheme is made from mineral wool (glass fibre). It is rolled out on the floor of the loft, in between and then across the joists, and works by trapping the rising heat in your home like a blanket.
It is also a little known fact that Loft Insulation will help to keep your home cooler in the warmer months, by preventing heat from coming through the roof.
The recommended depth for Loft Insulation is 11 inches or 270mm. If your loft is insulated, but hasn’t been topped up in the last 15 years, it will most likely benefit from having more Loft Insulation installed.
The Loft Insulation Grants will also cover the cost of insulating and draught proofing the hatch, lagging any pipework and fitting a walk-board if there is a water tank situated more than 1m away from the hatch.
Is my property suitable for Loft Insulation?
It is estimated that 42% of UK households with traditional lofts can still benefit from having Loft Insulation installed.
To receive a 100% free Loft Insulation Grant, your property must have less than 60mm/2.5" of Loft Insulation already installed. To receive a 40-70% Loft Insulation Grant, you must have less than 100mm/4" already installed.
The other main points to consider are that the Loft Insulation will be installed on the floor of the loft, so it must not have any stored items or be boarded. The loft must also be easy to access and have enough headroom for Installers to work.
You will NOT be able to have Loft Insulation installed if:
- Too much Insulation is already fitted. Most homes with under 100mm/4" should qualify.
- There is no access, or the hatch is too small. Hatch size should be 400mm/16" square.
- There is less than 4 feet/1.2m of headroom from the joists to the peak of the roof.
- There are a large amount of stored items and you are not prepared to clear them.
- The loft is boarded and you are not prepared to lift the boards. 20% boarding is allowed.
- There is any damp present. Any damp problems must be cured and dried before applying.
- You would like sloping roof (under the tiles), flat roof or under-floor Insulation.
- You intend to install Loft Insulation yourself. Our Grants do not cover DIY projects.
- You require a special type of Loft Insulation, such as sheep's wool.
Loft Insulation
frequently asked questions and answers
How long does Loft Insulation take to install?
An averaged size loft will take an hour, to an hour and a half to insulate.
How can I tell if my loft already has too much Insulation?
If the Insulation is level with or below the joists on the floor of the loft, you are likely to qualify for a Grant to top up the Insulation.
What if my loft is boarded?
A small amount of boarding is allowed, but if there is more than 20% you will need to have the boards lifted before the work is carried out. Our approved Installers are not insured to do this. If you intend on replacing the boards, the joists will have to be raised with blocks due to the extra thickness of the Insulation. Again, unfortunately our Installers cannot help with this.
What if I have damp in my loft?
The cause of the damp will have to be repaired and the loft must be dried out before you can apply for a Loft Insulation Grant.
My hatch is too small. Can you still install Insulation?
The loft hatch must be 400mm/16" square. Some of our Installers can enlarge the loft hatch or a builder may be able to organise this for you.
Can you install Loft Insulation if I have a lot of stored items?
Installers can work around a few items, but if there is too much the surveyor may advise you to remove them. Our Installers will not be able to do this.
Do Loft Insulation Grants cover the sloping part of the roof?
No. This Grant scheme only covers Insulation rolled out in blankets on the floor of the loft, between and then across the joists.
What if I don't want mineral wool (glass fibre) Insulation?
Unfortunately, the Grant scheme does not cover other types of Insulation such as sheep's wool, recycled materials, etc. Mineral Wool is a natural product made from sand, which fits in with the natural fabric of the building i.e. the bricks and mortar.
Does Loft Insulation have any health risks?
Once the Insulation is installed, the loft hatch is draught proofed and effectively sealed; however, it is not advisable to go into the loft after the Insulation is installed, especially if you have respiratory problems.
Can I get a Grant to do the work myself?
No. These Grants are only for Loft Insulation supplied and fitted by EnergyLink's approved Loft Insulation Installers.
Loft Insulation Grants?
When you Apply Online for a Loft Insulation Grant through EnergyLink, our application form will check that we have an approved Installer in your area, that Loft Insulation Grants are available, and which Grant you are likely to qualify for. If you wish to receive a free, no-obligation survey you can then enter your contact details.
An approved Installer in your local area will then phone you to arrange a date and time that is convenient to carry out the Loft Insulation Survey. The surveyor will make sure that your property is suitable for Loft Insulation and will confirm which Grant you are entitled to.
If you are happy for our Installer to go ahead with the work after the survey has been carried out, they will arrange a date and time with you. Following the installation of the Loft Insulation, our Installer will claim the Grant amount on your behalf from a utility company or one of their agents.
NB: Some Installers may take a deposit at the survey
no-obligation survey.
Don't forget the savings
Loft Insulation will not only prevent up to 25% of the heat in your home from escaping, it will also save you up to £175 per year on your energy bills as your heating can be turned on less often and for shorter periods.
If your loft is already partially insulated, the current Loft Insulation Grants Scheme can also be used to top up Loft Insulation in your home which could save you up to £45 per year.
As less fossil fuel is being burned, Cavity Wall Insulation will also substantially reduce Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions by up to 800kg per year and help to protect the environment:
Loft Insulation Grants are available now to cover the full cost of installation; however, the current Loft Insulation Grants scheme is scheduled to end on 31st December and it is likely that applications will need to be submitted several weeks before.
Apply Online for a non-repayable Loft Insulation Grant now while they are still available.
Having your cavity walls insulated at the same time as your loft could save you up to £310 per year on energy costs and more than double the savings made on your energy bills.
You can claim Insulation Grants for Loft and Cavity Wall Insulation through EnergyLink, who can arrange for you to receive a free no-obligation survey from an approved Installer.
Read more about the benefits of Cavity Wall Insulation.
- 100% Free Insulation Grants in almost all UK areas.
- 40-70% Grants available to all other private households.
- The Green Deal will replace Grants in Autumn 2012.
- Claim a Free Insulation Grant today before they end.
