Is someone in your home aged over 70?
Well good news - so long as you own your own home or are privately renting you can now get cavity wall and loft insulation installed absolutely free of charge, due to the introduction of the governments’ Carbon Emission Reduction Target (CERT), which was launched in April of this year.
CERT is an initiative to replace the Energy Efficiency Commitment scheme whereby the Government charges the big power companies with the challenge of reducing their customers’ need for gas and electricity by making their homes more energy efficient.
Not only is this aimed at helping the environment by lowering carbon emissions but it can save you a lot of money too.
The Energy Saving Trust estimates that you can save up to £200 a year from your energy bills by having your cavity walls filled and laying loft insulation to the government recommended standard of 10.5 inches.
As fuel is now getting even more expensive it’s a great time to take advantage of this scheme. You don’t have to apply for a grant or fill in lengthy paper work either. You just need to be able to prove that you’re over 70 – that’s it!
There are some common misconceptions about such types of insulation but don’t let this put you off. Some people think that cavity wall insulation, for example, causes damp.
Whilst this may have been the case with the product used decades ago the product used today is very different. It is most likely that your walls would be filled with mineral wool which looks like cotton wool – with one big difference.
It is completely non-porous meaning that it will not take in water and will not cause damp. The work would take around 3 hours to complete and is normally done from the outside of the house.
Most properties from around the 1920s onwards have cavity walls but hundreds of thousands of properties across the UK do not have them filled. This means, on average, that 35% of heat is lost straight away through the walls of your home (Energy Savings Trust).
It is recommended that a temperature of at least 21oC should be maintained in the main living areas of older people and having insulation installed can help you achieve this without having to spend extra money on firing up your boiler.
Keeping your home warm to this degree can help with all types of problems such as respiratory health issues and condensation dampness.
If you would like more information or to be referred to the accredited installers in your area then call “Your Energy Advice Centre” on 0800 512 012. We are available on weekdays between 9am-5pm, and we provide free and impartial advice.
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