Insulation Grants Guide - Mass Foam Systems

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Insulation Grants Guide

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There are so many reasons you should insulate your home. It can save money on energy bills, make homes more energy-efficient, and even keep homes protected from draughts, humidity, and external sounds.

Insulation grants can help save money on the costs of energy-efficient improvements for your home. Keep reading this 2020 guide to learn how you can use grants to fund your simple yet efficient home improvements.

radiator in bathroom

Energy Company Obligations (ECO)

The Energy Company Obligations eco is a program in Great Britain that offers insulation grants and various energy efficiency improvements to help decrease national energy consumption.

Rather than being a grant offered through the government, the ECO program is an obligation placed on the largest energy suppliers to help support households to install energy improvements in their homes.

This is the scheme that will allow you to apply for a grant to help cover your costs (partially or fully) for insulation. The mission of the program is to fight fuel poverty and lower emissions.

eco logo

Insulation options

You may already have insulation, but spray foam insulation is a far better option that can save another 50% on your energy costs. If you have fibreglass insulation, it can potentially pose a safety hazard and is typically less efficient than modern methods. It’s also a good idea to keep your insulating material up to date because older insulation can become less effective over time.

Energy-saving grants can help cover the costs, fully or partially, of upgrading your insulation to something better suited for draught-proofing, reducing humidity and external noises.

If you have previously used the scheme for a grant, you can still apply for another if you want more work done. This includes attic insulation, wall insulation, and many options that serve greater energy efficiency.

Here are some options to consider:

  • Cavity wall insulation
  • Loft insulation
  • Pitched roof insulation
  • Underfloor insulation

If you have any questions about your home’s insulation, don’t hesitate to contact us for expert advice on the best options for your home.

How to apply

The easiest way to secure an insulation grant is by talking to an approved insulation contractor such as Mass Foam Systems and discussing your interest in the ECO (Energy Companies Obligation) grant.

To qualify, the dwelling has to have been built before 2011 for heat pump systems and solar thermal and before 2006 for all other measures. If you are not the owner of the dwelling, then you can ask your landlord to apply.

In order for your grant to be approved, you also need to select your contractor through a registered list and you will need to satisfy one of the following benefits and/or income requirements where applicable:

  • Armed Forces Independence Payment
  • Attendance Allowance
  • Carer’s Allowance
  • Child Benefit (on the condition that the household’s relevant income does not exceed the amount set out in Chapter 3 of our scheme guidance)
  • Constant Attendance Allowance
  • Disability Living Allowance
  • Pension Guarantee Credit
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
  • Income Support
  • Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
  • Mobility Supplement
  • Personal Independence Payment
  • Severe Disablement Allowance
  • Tax Credits (Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credits)
  • Universal Credit

Alternatively, if you are living in social housing with an EPC rating of E, F or G you might also be eligible for the scheme.

Simple Energy Advice can also offer you support if you live in England or Wales. They can offer you advice on how to get your home insulated and how you could pay less with your energy supplier.

Just be sure not to begin buying materials until your grant is approved. Once it’s approved, you’ll be able to claim your grant if you finish the work within 6 months.

Once you have checked if you are eligible, get in contact below to put that funding to good use!

Get funding for your insulation!

Grants Guide Request callback

Could I be rejected

It is possible to be rejected for an insulation grant. Here are the most common reasons as to why you may be rejected:

  • Lack of coordination between other flat tenants or owner of the property – All parties must be involved.
  • You do not meet the set criteria for the grant

If you do find yourself not being applicable for this program, you are most likely to be eligible for another scheme. A quick and easy way to check is by using Simple Energy Advice’s postcode checker for grants here.

Why you should apply for a grant

One of the main reasons people decide not to insulate their homes is because they think it is going to bring a heavy cost, but this isn’t true. Besides, any money you spend on insulation is well worth the investment as it will bring a generous return through savings.

Installing insulation also doesn’t take a long time. Insulation is not the kind of home improvement that takes days or weeks. A free loft can be done in as little as a few hours.

Applying for a grant isn’t hard and it can cover your costs for insulation. The value of your grant will depend on what you are insulating. You can see the value of a grant for each type of insulation work.

What does this mean for you? Grant money is like free insulation and the qualifying benefits make it accessible for anyone. You don’t even have to pay a lot to improve your home and reduce your energy costs.

What if I can’t get a grant?

The next best option is to find a cheap and experienced contractor to supply you with your insulation needs. A good way to go about this would be to get quotes from many contractors and find the cheapest option. Mass Foam Systems offer what is called a “Lowest Price Guarantee” which will mean that they will match or provide a cheaper quote than any quote you have currently received.

To get a good idea of how much spray foam insulation will cost, you can check out our spray foam insulation costs guide.

Depending on the type of insulation, you could purchase and install the insulation yourself however it is strongly advised to not install spray foam insulation yourself as costs can exceed expectations through errors and misjudgments. You can also request a callback here.

insulation in a wooden frame

Start saving

Whether you live in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Southern England, or anywhere in the UK, you can benefit from Energy Company Obligations eco. Apply for a grant, choose a registered contractor, and start saving. Your home is an investment and the improvements you make matter. Reduce your energy bill and keep your home warmer. A great grant that is applicable until 31 March 2021 is the Green Homes Grant.

Home insulation is one of the best ways you could passively reduce your energy consumption at no major inconvenience to yourself. Help fight fuel poverty and do your part in reducing emissions.

a spilt jar of coins

Other ways to start saving

  1. Make use of a good smart thermostat.
  2. Pay your energy bill via a monthly direct debit.
  3. Avoid prepayment meters.
  4. Switch energy provider.
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