If you qualify for a benefit, Cavity Wall Insulation grants will pay the entire cost to have Cavity Wall Insulation professionally installed. You must not only own the property but also rent it out and be occupied at the time you survey. Even if you don't qualify for the Free Cavity Wall Insulation Grant, a survey can be arranged and quoted with an approved installer. The average cost of Cavity Wall Insulation is around PS500 to PS600.
Grant funding is part of a program called the Energy Companies Obligation. This was previously part of the Government’s Green Deal Energy Efficiency program. The grants are provided by the main energy suppliers. They don't have to be repaid. Cavity wall insulation is an excellent way to lower your heating bills, as energy costs continue to rise. Cavity Walls left uninsulated can let up to 35% of the heat from a house escape. Cavity Insulation is a great way to save your household up to PS145 every year.
A survey is required to determine if 100% of the grants are available. The survey is usually free. However, depending on how large and efficient the property is, you may need to contribute a little.
FREE Cavity wall insulation is available to those who receive one of these benefits:
Armed Forces Independence payment
Attendance Allowance
Carer's Benefit
Child Welfare
Child Tax Credit
Constant Attendance Benefit
Disability Living Allowance
Income-Based Jobseekers' Allowance
Income-Related Employment Assistance Allowance
Income Support
Industrial Injuries Disability Benefit
Pension Guarantee Credit
Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Severe Disablement Allowance
Universal Credit
War Pensions Mobility Supplement
Credit for working tax
You must also own your property, or rent it from private landlords. Housing Association tenants who own more than 50% of the property are not eligible for assistance.
It must also be occupied. It must not be vacant or under renovation. Walls must not exceed 60% of the property. Extensions do not usually qualify for a grant. In this instance, however, a free survey and a quote can be provided. Recent research from the Department of Energy and Climate Change found that only 58% of properties which can benefit from Cavity wall Insulation are insulated. Your property may be among the remaining 42% who need insulation.
Before applying for Grants, you should first check whether your home has cavity walls. Most brick homes built before 1924 will have a cavity. If your property was built before 1924, it's likely to have solid walls. If the walls are less than 250mm (10 ft) thick, it is possible to determine if there is a cavity in your property. Cavity Wall Insulation should be fitted to properties that were built after 1982.
You can't get a grant if you believe your property already has Cavity Wall Insulation.
Cavity Wall Insulation is not available to you if you are:
Your property was built before 1924 or later than 2005.
The walls are already filled with insulation.
You live in a flat without the consent of your neighbors above and below.
You can see any damp spots on the walls.
The property can be timber/steel-framed, concrete, or rock.
Ventilation is insufficient and a vent can't be fitted.
Solid walls are better than cavity walls if your property is built with them. A grant may be claimed for external wall insulation or inner wall insulation.