Loft Insulation
With energy prices rising by as much as 20% in 2011, now is the time to claim your Loft Insulation Grant and make big savings on your energy bills.
- The Green Deal will replace Grants in Autumn 2012.
- Loans will be repaid through energy bill savings.
- Free, non-repayable grants are still available now.
This is the last full Winter of Home Insulation grants!
Having your loft fully insulated could save up to £175 per year on your heating bills. The current Loft Insulation grants scheme can also be used to top up Loft Insulation in your home which can save you up to £45 a year.
Without Loft Insulation, up to 25% of the heat in your home escapes through your roof. You can prevent this heat loss now with a grant to cover all or most of the installation cost.
Loft Insulation Grants
If you are aged 70 or above, or you receive a qualifying benefit, you can claim a Free Loft Insulation grant to cover the full cost of having Loft Insulation professionally installed.
Even if you don’t qualify for Free Insulation, you can still claim a grant of up to 70% off the cost. Read more about Insulation Grants.
Loft Insulation grants are running out so to claim your Insulation grant, you need to act fast before the scheme comes to an end in 2012. Loft Insulation grants are scheduled to be replaced by a loan-based system called the Green Deal.
Loft Insulation?
The Loft Insulation available on this grant scheme is made from mineral wool (glass fibre) and is rolled out on the floor of the loft, in between and then across the joists.
Home Loft Insulation traps the rising heat in your home like a blanket. It also has a cooling effect in the warmer months by preventing heat coming through the roof.
The recommended depth for Loft Insulation is 270mm or 11 inches. If your loft is insulated but hasn’t been topped up in the last 15 years, it will most likely benefit from having more insulation installed.
Loft Insulation grants also cover the cost of lagging any pipework, insulating & draught proofing the hatch 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 a traditional loft can still benefit from Loft Insulation. To receive a Loft Insulation grant, you must have less than 100mm/4" already installed on the partial scheme and 60mm/2.5" on the free scheme.
The other main points to consider are that the Loft Insulation will be installed on the floor of the loft so it must not be boarded or have any stored items. The loft must also be easy to get into 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.
- You intend installing Loft Insulation yourself. Our grants do not cover DIY projects.
- There is no access or the hatch is too small. Should be 16"/400mm 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 them. 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 require a special type of Loft Insulation such as sheep's wool.
Loft Insulation
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 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 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. - Does Loft Insulation have any health risks?
Once the insulation is installed, the loft hatch is draught proofed so it is effectively sealed. It is not advisable to go into the loft after it is insulated, especially if you have have respiratory problems. - 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 them lifted before the work is carried out. Our approved installers are not insured to do this. If you intend replacing them, the joists will have to be raised with blocks due to the extra thickness of the insulation. Again, our installers cannot help with this. - My hatch is too small. Can you still install insulation?
The loft hatch must be 16"/400mm square. Some of our installers can enlarge the loft hatch or a builder may be able to organise this for you. - Can you install 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)?
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. - Can I get a grant to do the work myself?
No. These grants are only for Loft Insulation supplied and fitted by approved Loft Insulation installers.
Loft Insulation Grants
When you Apply Online, our application form checks we have an approved installer in your area, makes sure that Loft Insulation grants are available for the products you are interested in and tells you which Loft Insulation grant you are likely to qualify for. You can then enter your contact details to receive a free, no-obligation survey.
Our approved installer in your local area will then telephone you to arrange a convenient date and time to carry out your Loft Insulation Survey. The surveyor will confirm which grant you are entitled to and make sure that the property is suitable for Loft Insulation.
If you would like to go ahead with the work after the survey has been carried out, our installer will arrange a date and time with you. After the Loft Insulation has been fitted, the installer will claim the grant amount on your behalf from a utility company or one of their agents.
N.B. Some installers may take a deposit at survey.
no-obligation survey.
Don't forget the savings
Having Loft Insulation installed prevents up to 25% of the heat in your home from escaping. This can save you up to £175 per year on your heating bills. Topping up a loft that already has some insulation can save you up to £45 per year.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions are also reduced by up to 800kg thereby helping to protect the environment from Global Warming.
Loft Insulation
As well as saving money by having Loft Insulation installed, you could maximise your energy bill savings by installing Cavity Wall Insulation at the same time. EnergyLink can arrange for you to have a free, no-obligation survey carried out for both measures at the same time.
With up to 35% of the heat being lost through poorly insulated walls, Cavity Wall Insulation will save you up to £135 per year and up to £310 when combined with Loft Insulation. Read more about Cavity Wall Insulation.
- The Green Deal will replace Grants in Autumn 2012.
- Loans will be repaid through energy bill savings.
- Free, non-repayable grants are still available now.
- This is the last full Winter of Home Insulation grants!
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