The UK government has made a commitment to reduce Carbon dioxide emissions and give homeowners and private rented tenants’ grants for cavity wall insulation and grants for loft insulation.
One of the major contributors of CO2 is energy wasted in residential dwellings. By insulating the home, less energy is wasted, this helps to make a cleaner environment for us all. It also helps the consumer who benefits by having lower energy bills. Proper insulation can help to reduce energy bills by anywhere up to 25%
The program that delivers these grants is known as CERT (Carbon Emission Reduction Target). The grant is paid directly to the local appointed service provider who does the job. This eliminates the need for the homeowner to have to find the funds up front. Grants of up to 100% are available. Nearly all people on a means tested benefit or anyone aged over 70 would normally meet the criteria to have the work done totally free. You can obtain a grant for cavity wall insulation in Kempston and other towns in the county. Grants for loft insulation in Kempston and other towns are available too.
The process to obtain a grant is straightforward. The customer has to contact a local installer or surveying agency who is taking part in this program. To see if the property is suitable, a Home Assessor will have to visit the property. The amount of grant that you’re eligible for will be determined by your Home Assessor. You’ll also be advised of the insulation improvements that will be needed.
The recommended standard of loft insulation is 270mm (11 inches). Take into consideration improving the depth of insulation if you have not had your loft topped up over the last 15 years.
The work will be done by your registered contractor, if you decide to accept the offer. Most jobs are usually completed within half a day. If you have cavity wall insulation installed, you will be given a 25 year guarantee .
As this is a government backed program, there is also a high degree of quality inspections once the work is actually done. This ensures that customers get quality workmanship. Any company that does not meet these quality standards are taken off the scheme.
Different companies have differing procedures to install the insulation. The property owner can chose to have a surveying company undertake the initial inspection. The surveying company can then advise on the best company in that area to undertake the project. Because a surveying agency is usually independent, the householder will get the best recommended product and a local qualified organization most suited to their home. You can search on-line for home insulation grants in your area.
These grants are soon to be replaced by a innovative government project called Green Deal. The new Green Deal scheme will cover a wider range of energy saving measures, such as boilers, external wall insulation and renewable technologies for instance solar pv, solar thermal, bio mass, ground source heat pumps. Any grants offered under Green Deal are repayable through the customer’s electricity bills. Grants issued under CERT will never be repayable.
Up to March 2012 more than 3 million properties had benefited by having loft insulation or cavity wall insulation says the official report from The Energy Savings Trust.