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Cavity wall and loft insulation can slice about £300 off energy bills per year and as part of energy efficiency obligations, energy firms offer serious freebies.
This is a run-down of all the current offers, how to apply and everything you need to know about how it works.
Top insulation freebies
Also see Home & Energy Grants & Cheap Gas & Elec
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How much will you save?
Cavity wall insulation works by filling the space between the two layers of external walls, keeping in the warmth and lowering energy bills. The Energy Saving Trust estimates cavity wall insulation will save an average three-bedroom home up to £135/year.
Loft insulation works in the same way as cavity wall but is even more effective as heat rises. Properly-fitted loft insulation can save £175 per year, as about a quarter of your heat is lost via the roof.
Why do they do it?
Big energy providers have 'Carbon Emission Reduction Targets'. They must pump money into making homes more efficient, especially for 'tough to reach' groups. If they miss targets, they get big fines. So they're desperately pushing cash out there.
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Is your house suitable?
Here's a rundown of the current best offers. While EDF offers free cavity wall and loft insulation to all, you may be eligible for some of the other offers. It's worth checking as you may want to go with your own supplier or, for those over 70 and on certain benefits, you can get extra cash.
Remember not all properties are suitable for cavity wall or loft insulation. Most providers conduct a free survey. If you've damp problems the EnergySavingTrust says sort it first.
Usually you won't be able to get insulation if:
- Currently there are no offers for those in Northern Ireland.
- You live in a housing association property or are a council tenant.
- You live in a flat and can't co-ordinate with all other tenants.
- You already have insulation.
- Your home is timber or metal framed or made from natural stone or concrete.
Free installation offers for ALL
The following suppliers also offer free installation but without any extra freebies on top for those on benefits.
Go to site Free insulation via Tesco Available to all
What: Free cavity wall and loft insulation.
Who: Everyone, even non-customers, if your home's suitable.
Deadline: Ongoing
How to apply: Check suitability on the Tesco Home website, then apply online or call 0800 321 3456.
Anything else? Homes in mainland Great Britain and the Isle of Wight only. Homeowners, residential landlords and private tenants can apply. Tesco doesn't have funding for council or housing association tenants - they should contact their landlord with their request and get in touch directly for funding.
Go to siteFree insulation via British Gas Plus recommend someone elderly / on benefits - get £50 EACH
What: Free cavity wall and loft insulation.
Who: The £50 is for all, those on select benefits get free insulation
Deadline: The £50 referral offer is on until 30 November 2012.
How to apply: Check suitability on the British Gas website, then call 0800 975 1195.
Free £50 cash if you refer friends & family: Until 30 November 2012 British Gas is offering an extra £50 cash to anyone that refers an elderly or vulnerable person on qualifying benefits to get free insulation. Plus the household installing the insulation also gets £50. See a full list of qualifying benefits.
Neither of you have to be British Gas customers and you can refer as many people as you like to get £50 each time. To get the cash the person needing the insulation must call 0800 975 1195. They should include the name and address of the referrer so their cash can be sent to them.
The cash will be paid by cheque 30 days after the installation has been completed. Though bear in mind the installation process can take some time.
Anything else? Free insulation is subject to limits on coverage depending on the type of property. Insulation installations that require insulation beyond these limits will be chargeable.
You can only get it if British Gas can insulate a minimum of two-thirds of the available loft space (when applied to the whole loft surface area) or available cavity wall space (when applied to the whole house).
For loft insulation the offer only applies where the thickness of existing insulation is less than 60mm. Not all homes are suitable for loft and/or cavity wall insulation. The offer excludes the cost of scaffolding, vents and any specialist equipment if they're needed.
Go to EDF
Free cavity wall AND loft insulation for ALLVia EDF Energy — you don't have to be an EDF customer
What: Free cavity wall and loft insulation.
Who: Everyone – even non-customers, if your home's suitable.
Deadline: 31 October
How to apply: Check suitability on the EDF website, then either apply online or call 0800 015 7785.
Anything else? Not available in Northern Ireland, some Scottish areas including the Isles. You won't be eligible for free insulation if you already have pre-existing cavity wall insulation, loft insulation that’s more than 60mm thick, or if EDF's unable to insulate at least two-thirds of the total loft surface or wall cavities.
Go to site
Go to site
CallFree insulation for those over 70 or on benefits Via Scottish Power, SSE or Eon — needn't be a customer
What: Free cavity wall and loft insulation.
Who: Anyone over 70 or on certain benefits
How to apply:
Eon: Check your home meets the criteria on the Eon website, then either apply online or call 0845 301 4927.
Scottish Power: Apply online or ring 0845 601 7836 giving the reference "Web".
Scottish & Southern Energy: Ring 0800 072 7201 to see if you qualify.
Anything else? It's worth noting that all the above say installation is subject to survey.
Get paid for FREE insulation
A couple of suppliers are giving away extras on top of free insulation. Anyone can get the free insulation, but those that are vulnerable or the elderly and in receipt of certain benefits get the extras.
Currently you can get an extra £50 (plus £50 if you refer someone to get insulation fitted), 5,000 Tesco points or £100 cash.
Free cavity wall AND loft insulation for ALLPlus £200 cash for those on certain benefits
What: Free cavity wall and loft insulation. Plus £100 cash for each type of insulation you install.
Who: Everyone – even non-customers, if your home's suitable.
Deadline: Ongoing offer, for about 200,000 homes.
How to apply: Check suitability & apply on the EDF website or call 0800 015 7785.
Free £200 for those on benefits: Only those on certain benefits will get the extra cash. See full details.
Anything else? Not available in Northern Ireland, some Scottish areas including the Isles. You won't be eligible for free insulation if you already have pre-existing cavity wall insulation, loft insulation that’s more than 60mm thick, or if EDF's unable to insulate at least two-thirds of the total loft surface or wall cavities.
Free insulation plus £200 for some For those on certain benefits
What: Free cavity wall and loft insulation. Plus £200 for some, whether you take either insulation or both.
Who: Everyone, even non-customers, if your home's suitable.
Deadline: Until 31 July.
How to apply: Check suitability on the Tesco Home website, then apply online or call 0800 321 3456.
Free £200 for those on benefits: Only those on certain benefits will get the extra cash. See full details.
Anything else? Homes in mainland Great Britain and the Isle of Wight only. Homeowners, residential landlords and private tenants can apply. Tesco doesn't have funding for Council or housing association tenants - they should contact their landlord with their request and get in touch directly for funding.
Free insulation plus £50 cash for some£50 cash if you refer someone for free installation
What: Free cavity wall and loft insulation.
Who: Anyone on certain benefits gets free installation & £50, anyone can get £50 referral
Deadline: Register by 30 November 2012
How to apply: Check suitability on the British Gas website, then call 0800 975 1195.
Free £50 cash if you refer friends & family: Until 30 November 2012 British Gas is offering an extra £50 cash
to anyone that refers and elderly or vulnerable person on qualifying benefits to get free insulation. Plus the household installing the insulation also gets £50. See a full list of qualifying benefits.
Neither of you have to be British Gas customers
and you can refer as many people as you like to get £50 each time.
To get the cash the person needing the insulation must call 0800 975 1195. They should include the name and address of the referrer so their cash can be sent to them.
The cash will be paid by cheque 30 days after the installation has been completed. Though bear in mind the installation process can take some time.
Anything else? Free insulation is subject to limits on coverage depending on the type of property. Insulation installations that require insulation beyond these limits will be chargeable.
You can only get it if British Gas can insulate a minimum of two-thirds of the available loft space (when applied to the whole loft surface area) or available cavity wall space (when applied to the whole house).
For loft insulation the offer only applies where the thickness of existing insulation is less than 60mm. Not all homes are suitable for loft and/or cavity wall insulation. The offer excludes the cost of scaffolding, vents and any specialist equipment if they're needed.
Free cavity wall & loft insulation PLUS £100 cash Available to some on benefits — not just Eon customers
What: Free cavity wall & loft insulation, plus poss. £100 free cash.
Who: Everyone, if your home's suitable AND you receive certain income-related benefits, even non-customers.
Deadline: Ongoing, no limit on the number of free installations.
How to apply: Check suitability on Eon site, then apply online or call 0845 302 4253.
Free £100 if on certain benefits. You can also get £100 free cash from Eon, if you either...
- Receive pension credit, or...
- Claim child tax credit AND have an annual family income of less than £16,190.
The £100 will be given within two months of installation, and paid by cheque.
Anything else? The offer is not available to homes in Northern Ireland, housing association homes, council tenants or flats/maisonettes. Free loft insulation is only available where there is less than 60mm existing insulation.
Eon estimates all installations will be completed within three months of registering, and will take a day to do.
Questions & Answers
Will my house be suitable?
Not all houses will be suitable for cavity wall insulation. According to the Energy Saving Trust your home will usually be suitable for cavity wall insulation if:
- Its external walls are unfilled cavity walls.
- The cavity is at least 50mm wide.
- The masonry or brickwork of your property is in good condition.
- It is more than 10 years old (most newer houses will have insulation already).
- The walls are not exposed to driving rain.
I rent my property, can I get the freebies?
It depends on which scheme you're applying to, so do check. But normally you'll be allowed with the landlord's permission.
Why do suppliers offer freebies?
Not out of the kindness of their hearts. This is all about the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) which came into effect in April 2008. Gas and electricity suppliers are obliged, out of their own pocket, to promote energy efficiency measures. Read more about it on the Decc website.
I live in a flat, am I still eligible?
Some of the suppliers will install free insulation in flats - definitely EDF Energy - but you do have to get the insulation installed for the whole block, which means seeking agreement from all your neighbours.
I rent my property, can I get the freebies?
It depends on which scheme you're applying to, so do check. But normally you'll be allowed with the landlord's permission.
Not answered your question? Ask it in the forum discussion and we'll add generic ones here.
The eight energy bill cutting rules
It's not just about doing a comparison. Who you use and how you pay can cut your bills substantially. Here are the eight key rules:
- Grab £1,000s of grants to insulate your home
Properly insulating your home can save around £200/year. There's a vast range of grants available for improving home heating and insulation, just go to the Energy Saving Trust's energy grant search. For more grants available for all types of home improvement, see the full Grant Grabbing guide. -
Don't assume dual fuel is always cheapest
Logically, dual fuel (gas and electricity from the same supplier) should be cheaper and it often is, yet not always.
During your comparison, also compare the cost of the cheapest dual fuel supplier with separate cheap gas and cheap electricity suppliers. -
Do switch to monthly direct debit
Fixed monthly direct debit payments, where you pay a fixed estimate each month, save you 5-10%, as companies are sure you won't default and they earn interest on any overpayments. These should be refunded at the end of the year. -
Do a meter reading every time
Every time you receive a bill, do a meter reading. Don't rely on your energy provider's estimate; these are often way out. If they're under-billing, you'll have a big whack to pay at the end of the year. If they're over-billing, then they've unfairly got your cash.
If your direct debit is way off-kilter, call up and request it's changed. You have a range of rights to ensure it's correct. See the full Energy Direct Debits guide for template letters to help. -
Do switch to your company's internet tariff
It'll usually save you up to 10% over the standard tariff, and all it really means is you get your bills emailed. -
Avoid pre-payment meters if you can
While a push from the government means it's getting better, those on pre-payment meters are still pretty hard done by, certainly compared to those who pay by direct debit. If possible you should try to switch to a billed meter. You may have to pay to get one, but the savings are usually worth it.
Often they won't let you though, due to credit score or income difficulties. For full info on how to ditch a prepayment meter for a credit meter, or if you can't, save on a prepay meter, see the full Cheap Prepaid Gas & Elec guide. -
Consider a financial hardship tariff
If you're in financial trouble some companies offer special cheaper tariffs, which help. However you can't assume these will be the cheapest. As you're online (or you wouldn't be reading this), it's possible the cheapest web tariff will beat many hardship deals. - Use less energy
It's not just which company you pay, but how much you use. Cutting energy is a mix of big and little things.
Turn down the thermostat and wear jumpers, turn lights off when you leave a room, use energy saving lightbulbs, defrost the fridge and check it's not on too high, don't leave electrical goods on standby.
For more info, read the Energy Saving Hunt and see the Energy Saving Trust website.
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