Is free loft insulation free?

[Tups]

A man rang me today from A & M Insulation, offering me a free survey on my house. He says there is a government initiate stating that Energy companies have to provide free insulation to customers and that if they don't meet their targets at the end of the year, they will be fined 10% of their profits. I can't find anything on the web. Has anyone any experience of this?

[woofgang]

Not sure about the firm you mention...and i would tread carefully there but the scheme is real. I got offered it through my gas supplier but am already insulated
http://www.britishgas...s-and-conditions.html

[yogasun]

Well I hope not as we have just paid for ours to be done!!

[daffy654]

We had ours done a few weeks ago. I phoned a company myself and they arranged a survey then fitted the insulation within a few days of that. It cost me absolutely nothing.

[yogasun]

Oh, my fault for not checking then - not like me. Thought it only applied if you were over 75 or something - obviously not.

[daffy654]

I think there may be some criteria for getting it free yogasun, the rep did ask what benefits (if any) I was in receipt of but then said you didn't have to be on any benefits to qualify. All I know is that I never paid a penny towards it.

[tamborine]

Mine cost £500 on paper I signed for confirmation of works; the company billed the Council.

Confirm with Council, that they will pay.

[yogasun]

Oh dear,well that's £210 wasted then, could kick myself.

[VHG]

I would always be very wary of any company that just "rung me up" (whatever they were offering).

If it is true that loft insulation may be free the local council will have a list of suppliers so you can choose your own rather than going with one who just phoned you out the blue.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

I got both my roof and cavity wall insulation done on this scheme. I was working and it didn't cost me a penny

[Old_Geezer]

Nothing is ever really free, someone pays, someone who has no say in it. If the government funds something it is the taxpayer who pays for your 'free' gift, if it is a commercial concern it is their customers.

[rsvp]

there is definitely a government sponsored scheme for 'certain people' which helps them to have their houses insulated. - There are criteria to be met but the government pays x amount (usually sufficient for a modest property) - the balance is met by the home owner. I know of a property - three bedrooms etc that cost the owner a mere £100 to be fully insulated. Believe pensioners and those on benefits are likely to be those who benefit from this scheme - it is possible for a tenant to apply on behalf of the owner.