cavity wall insulation - is this a scam?

[fishcake84]

Hi all, I've had someone knock at the door and give me a spiel about being in a target area for the got giving free cavity wall insulation. He reckons it will be free under the ECO plan. He was even written down on the form he has given me that it is free. All I need is for a surveyor to have a look later this week, then they'd install it a week or two later. I did say to him that it sounded a bit too good to be true and he replied that everyone says that, but it is genuine! I am still suspicious.

Has anyone heard of this? Is it a real thing?

Thanks in advance!

Yes - we got this and loft insulation for free

It's genuine. The government have given these companies grant to do this and loft insulation for free to improve energy efficiency.

Ooh wow, well that seems promising! Thanks guys!

It just seems so.... unfeasible that they'd be giving it away for free!

Nooooo - don't do it.

Cavity Wall Insulation is just wrong, wrong, wrong.

Google the Property chap from the Telegraph and he will set you right.

I think it is the next stage in helping people insulate their houses after the loft insulation schemes so it is probably genuine but please please do your own research into whether your property is suitable and whether you want the cavity insulation. Buildings were built with cavities for a reason and the insulation can cause issues.

I had my loft done for free. I wouldn't go through someone that came to the door though, I'd ring your local Council for who they would recommend.
Has anyone else noticed people having their outside walls insulated over, I don't think this is free but I'm not sure what to think of it to tell you the truth, would worry about damp maybe.

Ooh just been doing some Googling Exit and yes it does look a little suspect with the whole 'causes condensation and damp problems' issue.

Might need a bit of a think about it first as we already get a bit of damp from time to time.

As f1fan said, houses were builty with a cavity for a reason.

My Dad is a retired bricklayer and cavity wall insulation is his pet hate.

He could bore you for hours on the subject.

Bless him.

British Gas do this.

I would be wary of cavity wall insulation though. Old houses are designed to breathe this way and if you get insulation put in, which then gets wet, that could allow the moisture onto the internal walls. You can't exactly whip that insulation back out...

This is why we are getting free loft but not cavity wall ins.

We aren't with British Gas either, you don't have to be a customer. Just call them after doing the online survey and they book to come take a look but I think the waiting list is a few months.