Cavity wall insulation removal grant
Here at UKES, we specialise not only in the installation of free cavity wall insulation but also in the removal of insulation from properties when it no longer meets energy efficiency standards.
While full funding for cavity wall insulation removal was previously possible under the ECO4 scheme, if your old insulation was not working, eligibility for free extraction has changed. Currently, extraction itself may not be covered, but other energy-saving improvements, such as insulation upgrades, are still available through the ECO4 grant at no cost.
We understand that getting new cavity wall insulation may be a stressful process for you and your home, including its extraction, so we have put together this article explaining the process and the cost of cavity insulation as well as how to have it funded by the government energy grants to help you understand its benefits.
Submissions for cavity wall insulation grants for December 2024 are now open.
Are you eligible for a cavity wall insulation grant from ECO fund?
It’s likely that you qualify for the ECO4 energy grant for cavity wall insulation (extraction not included) if you own or rent a property and receive the right combination of income-related benefits.
- Receive Income-Related Benefits
- Homeowner or Private Tenant
- Have Electrically Heated Property
What is cavity wall insulation?
Cavity wall insulation is used to store heat within a home and bounce it back into rooms, allowing the heat to be retained for longer. This means you have to spend less money on heating bills and you can improve your energy efficiency. It also allows for a more consistent temperature in a house and can give you savings of up to £275.
The majority of cavity wall insulation should last at least 25 years, but alterations to the outer walls of a house may cause it to break down and degrade earlier than that, which can increase cold air, damp issues and heat loss in a home as well as possible health problems.
Through the government’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme or the new Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS), it is possible to have the entire installation of cavity walls insulation funded without cost to you (cavity extraction is not covered by ECO4).
Cavity wall insulation grant can save you a lot of money; check your eligibility now!
ECO is a government backed scheme
Cavity wall insulation removal FAQ
How is it installed?
It is done by injecting special insulation material (this used to be urea formaldehyde) through specific holes in the outer wall to reach the cavity wall beneath. This means hoses can be inserted which are filled with the material and allows them to be spread with even distribution throughout the cavity wall, removing any holes. The walls are then sealed with UPVC glue.
However, certain homes are not suitable for cavity wall insulation; those that are suitable are:
- The external walls are unfilled cavity walls
- It was built between 1920 to 2005
- There’s small risk of your home flooding
- Your walls are not under constant exposure to wind driven rain
- The bricks and masonry are in good condition according to building regulations
- You are on a qualifying benefit
- Frequent driving rain and other weather conditions don’t hugely affect your property
How is cavity wall insulation removed?
To remove cavity wall insulation, it is necessary to contact a company registered to do it. This is because incorrectly installed insulation may be dangerous to remove if not handled correctly.
It is removed through blowing compressed air into a hole in the outer leaf wall as an industrial vacuum is used to collect the remaining old insulation and makes sure that there isn’t any remaining insulation material that may rot and cause damp spots. To remove cavity wall insulation, the process is typically done from the bottom up of a house, to ensure that there is nothing left behind in the upper parts. All of the debris is then packaged and removed from the property, to be disposed of safely by our services. Typically photographic evidence of roughly a square metre is taken to study whether or not the cavity has been fully emptied between the two walls to prevent future damp on your property.
Once everything has been removed, it is possible to refill the cavity wall with brand new and effective insulation material to ensure that there is no cold air or damp coming into your home and that the heat remains inside for as long as possible. One of the most effective ways to prevent water from travelling through the internal walls is with polyurethane foam. To install cavity wall insulation back into the house, workers need to be sure that the outside walls are capable of withstanding the building work.
Why do I need cavity wall insulation removed?
If you have old cavity wall insulation, and it is showing signs of damage, there is a good chance it needs to be removed and replaced. It may not be possible to do it for free under ECO4, however once completed the grant can cover the full cost of cavity wall insullation istallation.
Cavity extraction is typically done because of the UK climate; as we experience a lot of rain, cold, high winds and ice in the UK, our homes often take damage to the bricks and on occasion, the cavity walls themselves. Over time, EON, Scottish Power or British Gas cavity wall insulation (or eny other energy provider as a matter of fact) may begin to break down due to our wet climate, which can be dangerous for human health as well as creating cold spots in your home’s heating.
Cavity wall extraction allows your property to remain safe from damp and other problems.
What are the health risks behind old wall insulation?
Increased damp issues and moisture build-up can lead to serious illness and health risk. Penetrating damp is a particular risk in the UK due to our higher moisture content from rain. Defective insulation material that is wet can cause respiratory illnesses, allergic reactions and other lung based conditions, such as asthma.
It is important to ensure that your poor cavity wall insulation isn’t damaged because it can release toxic fumes into the air of your home if it is old or installed incorrectly. Cavity wall insulation removal may seem like an extreme measure but it is necessary in most cases to protect your health and home from the risks of damaged insulation.
It’s best to get a professional in to check that the quality is still maintained before cavity wall insulation removal on your property.
What else should I know about cavity wall insulation removal?
This cavity wall insulation extraction should always be done by cavity wall extraction teams in case any issues arise that may need experience behind them.
Specialist surveyors will make sure to choose the best possible replacement for your cavity wall installation.
What will it cost me for cavity wall insulation removal?
Under the government’s GBIS or ECO4 scheme, full funding for the removal is not currently available. While cavity wall insulation removal may seem like an extensive measure, it can often be the most beneficial solution in the long term. If you decide to pay for it yourself, you may be able to have cavity insulation then installed for free.
On average, cavity wall insulation removal costs approximately £21.50 per square metre.
Eligibility for grants for home improvements is determined by your requirements, such as what benefits you receive and whether or not you are a tenant or homeowner as well as the quality of your property and it’s bricks.
To find out more about eligibility, apply today, and we will assess whether you qualify for free cavity wall insulation.
How do I find out if I’m eligible for the ECO grant?
To find out whether you are eligible to receive cavity insullation (cavity wall insulation removal excluded), you should consider your circumstances. If you need more information or to find out if this government energy support scheme is right for you, check your eligibility today by answering a few questions.
Commercial properties are typically not eligible for the ECO scheme, though there are other options available in terms of grants for those kinds of property.
Here’s a list of benefits that qualify for the ECO4:
- Child Benefits
- Child Tax Credits (CTC)
- Housing Benefit NEW
- Income based Jobseekers allowance (JSA)
- Income related Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support (IS)
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Pension Credit Savings Credit NEW
- Universal Credit (UC)
- Warm Home Discount
- Working Tax Credit (WTC)
Who are UKES?
UK Energy Support is based in Newcastle but operates throughout the entirety of the UK.
We specialise in the installation and removal of cavity wall insulation and loft insulation to the highest standards as well as providing free storage heaters.
With the ECO scheme, we have been given the means and funding to provide most of these services for free to anybody who is eligible for work on their property.
Don't wait! Apply Today
Here at UK Energy Support, we want to help as many people as possible improve their energy consumption. We would be happy to help you in any way we can, so get in touch and start saving on your energy bills starting with cavity wall insulation!