All private households can apply for grants for installing loft and cavity wall insulation. Although loft insulation is a DIY job, it might be cheaper to apply for a grant and have the work done for you. If you are a tenant of a private landlord, housing association, or local authority, you should approach your landlord first.
Grants for homeowners are available primarily as subsidized rates for insulation measures provided by the energy companies. There are also limited grants from local authorities and from the central-government-funded Warm Front scheme, although these are generally targeted at households in fuel poverty or where occupants are elderly or otherwise vulnerable.
You can search for offers and grants on the Energy Saving Trust website by clicking here.
Subsidized deals from energy suppliers
All the major energy companies are obliged to promote energy-saving measures, including loft and cavity wall insulation, under the CERT (Carbon Emissions Reduction Target) scheme. This is intended to help the UK meet its targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions. The cost is borne by the energy companies, and hence indirectly by their customers - to the tune of £5.5 billion for the period 2008 to 2012.
You don't have to be a customer to qualify for these deals - the energy companies want to sign you up to fulfil their CERT requirements! So it's worth shopping around for the cheapest. A selection of links to various deals on offer can be seen on Stafford Borough Council's website, by clicking here.
In general, the following points apply:
- Loft insulation grants are available if your current loft insulation is less than 150mm (6 inches) deep.
- Cavity wall insulation grants are available if your house has a suitable cavity wall
- If the householder (i.e. the applicant or their spouse or partner) is over 70, the work will be carried out free of charge.
- The work is also free for householders who have a child under 16 and who receive certain benefits, such as income support or housing benefit. The same applies to pregnant women.
- If you or anyone in your household receives certain income related or disability benefits the work will be carried out free of charge.
- Anyone else can have the work carried out at a heavily subsidised price, currently around £150-250 each measure for a typical 3-bedroom semi-detached property.
How to apply
It is best to apply directly with local installers for the following reasons:
- They will undertake a survey and direct you to the best grant for your circumstances.
- Using a local company supports the local economy and reduces travel costs, time, and carbon emissions. If you apply to fuel companies or to the Government Warm Front scheme, you may get an installer from further affield.
If you are a Council or Housing Association tenant, ask your landlord about insulation, as they are responsible for the maintenance of your home. If you are the tenant of a private landlord, you can apply for these grants as a tenant, but you will need your landlord’s permission. If you do not qualify for free insulation, ask your landlord if he or she will pay for it.
Warm Front
Warm Front is a government-funded scheme that provides grants for heating and insulation to households where there are occupants with certain disabilities or on income-related benefits. Grants may be up to £3500, or up to £6000 in certain cases where oil-fired central heating or renewable technologies are required.
In April 2011 the eligibility criteria changed, and grants are now targeted at householders who are receiving certain benefits and live in properties that are poorly insulated and/or lack a working central heating system. To qualify you must be a homeowner or tenant of a private landlord, and receiving one of the benefits listed below.
Benefits qualifying for the Warm Front scheme:
- Pension Credit; or;
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance that includes a work-related activity or support component; or
- Income Support or;
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, or;
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance in the assessment phase (first 13 weeks of the claim)
You must also have one of the following:
- a pensioner premium. or;
- a disability or severe disability premium, or;
- an award of child tax credit that also includes an element for a disabled, or severely disabled child or young person, or;
- a child under the age of five living with you
For more information visit the DirectGov website.