Many years ago (like ten) Australia had this program where they would give a company $3,000 to put insulation in your house. It too was during an economic downturn and did get a lot of people working. It got cancelled though as a few people died in hot QLD rooves.
Now the UK is at it with the “Green homes grant” launched sept 2020 and i for one bloody love it. Here are the details.
Primary measures: up to £5,000
Insulation measures
The following insulation measures are covered by the voucher:
- solid wall
- under floor
- cavity wall
- loft
- flat roof
- room in roof
- insulating a park home
Low carbon heat measures
The following low carbon heating measures are covered by the voucher:
- air or ground source heat pump
- solar thermal (liquid filled flat plate or evacuated tube collectors)
- biomass boilers
Secondary measures up to £5,000
- draught proofing
- double/triple glazing (where replacing single glazed windows)
- secondary glazing (in addition to single glazing)
- external energy efficient doors (replacing single glazed or solid doors installed before 2002)
- heating controls
- hot water tank thermostats and insulation
The amount you get towards the cost of secondary measures cannot exceed the amount you get for primary measures, so spend the full £5,000.
Fine Print:
Now if you are low income and on befits you can get 100% covered if not 80% which is great still. try this, you get £5,000 worth of insulation, roof, walls, floor, all eco-friendly.
Then you get $5,000 in double glazed windows, new doors, draft proofing. If you spent all, your bill would be £2,000 out of pocket. The best outcome is you have reduced your household carbon footprint. You electric bill will drop and you’ve increased the value of your house.
Apply:
You can apply for the voucher at the website and applications are open at the end of sept. Right now it is un-clear what it covers in terms of dual invoicing and an energy audit. What would be best would be to hire an energy specialist and they organise it all. Still here are a few good options for eco-friendly insulation.
Warmcel
Made from 100% recycled paper. Warmcel is a cellose based blowing in insulation. They give training to the installers and because it’s a hose and blown in they can do hard to reach places like floors and walls. They have a nation wide network of installers.
https://www.warmcel.co.uk/warmcel/installers
SprayFoam:
This is a foam that expand like that stuff in a can. It claims to be eco because it’s harmless chemicals but i’m not sure. It here an option.
Thermofleece:
I don’t know if the voucher covers supplies to d.i.y it might, or this company might start to offer an instillation service, or your installer might be able to buy from them. If you want some insulation made for 100% british sheep wool, here it is. Looks nice.
Solar thermal:
If you have a good level of insulation already, solar can be a great idea. In the UK it’s not like to remove your energy bill but it can lower it a lot. Also it can increase the value of your home, lower your energy bill and lower your carbon footprint. If you can get a solar battery included that is great.
www.https://jpsrenewableenergy.co.uk/
When the program is launched in full i will be applying for it and thus i will update this.