Freee insulation for over 70s

Cornish householders offered free insulation 16 July 2012 Householders in Cornwall are being encouraged to act quickly to take advantage of a Cornwall Council backed free loft and cavity wall insulation scheme before funding runs out later this year. Cornwall Council has previously provided funding for free insulation to householders over the age of 70 or in receipt of qualifying benefits. For a limited time Cornwall Council is extending its free insulation offer to all homeowners and private tenants in Cornwall. The offer is subject to availability and has been launched at a time when the current system of grant funded insulation offers is coming to an end. The Council will deliver this scheme through a partnership with Community Energy Plus. Ian Smith, Managing Director, explained the reason for householders to act quickly to take up the offer: “Installing loft and cavity wall insulation to a property without any existing insulation can save a typical home up to £255 a year on their heating bills. By extending the free insulation offer the Council hopes to encourage the remaining households in Cornwall with un-insulated lofts and cavity walls to act now, before it’s too late, and enjoy warmer homes and lower heating bills this winter.” Cornwall Council’s cabinet member for housing Mark Kaczmarek said: “Loft and cavity wall insulation enables householders to enjoy warmer homes which are more energy efficient and cheaper to run. Because warmer homes are likely to suffer from condensation and damp, installing insulation can benefit the health and wellbeing of householders. By extending the free offer we hope that we can make valuable improvements to the county’s housing stock and enable many more people in Cornwall to enjoy warmer and healthier lives as a consequence.” The free insulation offer from Community Energy Plus is subject to the completion of a free, no obligation insulation survey and to qualify for free loft insulation properties must be less than 60mm of existing insulation already in place. Around a third of all the heat that escapes from an un-insulated home is lost through the walls and a quarter is lost through the roof. For the one in four households in Cornwall currently in fuel poverty, which is defined as spending more than 10 per cent of their income on heating, the potential savings of having insulation installed offer a strong incentive to take up the offer. For further information or to apply for free and discounted insulation through Community Energy Plus visit www.cep.org.uk or call Freephone 0800 954 1956.