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The external wall insulation is a necessary part of the central heating system. Every home with solid walls must have external insulation. However, if you can’t afford it, get free external wall insulation from government grants.
The following blog post covers a detailed discussion about:
- External Wall Insulation
- External Wall Insulation Grants
- Eligibility Criteria for the External Wall Insulation Grants
- Process to Get Free External Wall Insulation
Let’s start the discussion!
External Wall Insulation or EWI
External wall insulation is an outer layer of insulating material on the walls. There are two layers of external wall insulation.
- The inner layer insulates the walls.
- The outer layer protects the inner layer.
The EWIs also enhance the aesthetic appeal of the building.
Air Source Heat Pump Grants
Materials of External Wall Insulation
External wall insulation comes in different materials. Some of the most commonly used materials for the external wall insulation are the following:
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)
The EPS comes in the form of beads. These are lightweight, affordable, and moisture and mould-resistant.
Extruded Polystyrene (XPS)
The XPS is more durable than the EPS. This material is a good insulator and moisture-resistant.
Mineral Wool
The mineral wool is made from rocks or recycled slag. This material is:
- Soundproof
- Fire resistant
- Heat Resistant
Phenolic Foam
The phenolic foam has small cell structures. These structures make it a rigid and fragile material. It has extraordinary insulating features.
Cork
The cork is a natural material. It has the following features:
- Breathable
- Sound Proof
- Heat Insulation
Wood Fibre
The wood fibres are compressed to make the wood fibre insulating sheets. This material regulates moisture levels in the home along with its insulating features.
External Wall Insulation Grants
The UK government has started several grants for free external wall insulation. They want to help low-income households to install external wall insulation.
Moreover, they want to reduce their energy bills. At the same time, they want to achieve zero carbon emissions in the country.
Energy Company Obligation (ECO4)
The ECO4 is an energy-efficiency scheme. It provides free home improvements for energy efficiency. The UK government and energy supplier companies collaborated to initiate this scheme in 2013. However, now this scheme is in its 4th phase.
The ECO4 provides different other types of insulation along with external wall insulation.
- External Wall Insulation
- Loft Wall Insulation
- Cavity Wall Insulation
- Room in Floor Insulation
- Underfloor Insulation
Home Upgrade Grant (HUG)
The Department of Energy Company and Net Zero started this scheme in 2020. They aim to improve the energy efficiency of low-income households in off-grid areas. The HUG2 will end in March 2025. In this phase, they will provide energy efficiency improvements of £700 million.
The HUG provides different types of insulation to low-income households. Some of them are the following:
- External Wall Insulation
- Cavity Wall Insulation
- Loft and Roof Insulation
- Draught Proofing
- Underfloor Insulation
Nest Scheme
The Welsh government started the Nest scheme in 2011. They provide funding to improve the energy efficiency of the homes. This scheme targets low-income and vulnerable homes for this funding. Some of the most important benefits of the Nest scheme are the following:
- External Wall Insulation
- Loft Insulation
- Solid Wall Insulation
- Underfloor Insulation
- Double Glazing of Windows and Doors
Eligibility for the External Wall Insulation Grants
The external wall insulation grants provide insulation to eligible households. Some of the compulsory eligibility factors are the following:
- The schemes ensure that the applicants have low annual incomes. It should be lower than £31,000.
- At the same time, the households need to be recipients of government benefits. The eligible government benefits are the following:
- Universal Credit
- Income Based Benefit
- Pension Credit
- Jobseeker Allowance
- Child Tax Benefit
- Disability Benefit
- These schemes target energy-inefficient homes for free insulation. They ensure that the home has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F, or G.
- The external wall insulation can be installed only in homes with solid walls.
Application Procedure for the Free External Wall Insulation Grants
It is necessary to follow the right application procedure. The wrong application procedure decreases the chances of application approval. If you don’t know the right procedure, you can consider the following steps:
- First of all, choose the appropriate scheme for your home. Consider the financial assistance, home’s heating requirements, and material of external wall insulation.
- Then, use the online eligibility checkers for the respective scheme. Ensure that you are eligible before applying for the scheme.
- Arrange a home survey. They will assess the energy efficiency, insulation levels, and condition of the home.
- Complete the application process and submit the required documents. These documents include:
- Proof of Income
- Proof of Benefits
- Proof of Ownership
- EPC Rating
- A team of installers start the installation if your application gets approved.
- The team will ensure that you are satisfied and the insulation is working properly.
Conclusion
You should select the right external wall insulation for your home. You can get help from the experts. They will cost in the short term but can prove beneficial in the long run.
The external wall insulation will block the heat escaping from the home. In this way, you will not only reduce energy bills. Moreover, they will decrease carbon emissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
The homeowners don’t need permission unless it is in a conservation area. However, tenants need permission from the homeowners.
The total cost of the external wall insulation installation is £8,000 for an apartment. At the same time, it is £22,000 for a large home. This installation cost can vary depending on the material and type of external wall insulation.
The maintenance tips for the external wall insulation are the following:
- Inspect the complete external wall insulation regularly.
- Remove the dirt, debris, and algae from the external wall insulation gently.
- Don’t delay the cracks repair.
- Repaint or reseal the external wall insulation.
The installation of external wall insulation takes 7 to 8 days for a small home. However, in the case of large homes, it may take up to 10 days.
