Anyone used ECO4 funding who can share experiences

[Wafflefudge]

I've just had someone round to measure and assess house for potential insulation, air source pump and solar panels.
Would be interested in hearing people who have used the grant scheme. Or from people who have ASP and solar just to hear about what it's like.
They were talking about cavity wall insulation in our small extension, but I thought that was really bad for causing damp problems.
Any info would be helpful 🙂

Hi! I've just applied for this, can you tell me what happened in the end please?

We are getting fitted next month. Never did hear from others who had used the funding though. Hopefully it goes OK. Have heard such mixed reports on ASHP efficiency.

I had the lot done this summer, house is definitely warmer but haven't worked out if it's any cheaper. My house is not suitable for cavity wall insulation so they put up battens with insulating material inside the rooms, reducing their size slightly. Whole job took nearly six weeks and was a total fucking nightmare.

Yes our rooms will suffer size wise as well unfortunately.
Sorry to hear it was a nightmare. Were there problems?

Main problems tbf were just the sheer number of men trailing in and out of every single room in the house. I had to have plaster removed in a couple of rooms and the dust and general mess was awful, they never clear up after themselves. Flooring was lifted for new pipes in my bathroom, hall and office, and not replaced - one carpet was just dumped in a clump in the middle of the room. Boxes were hauled out of cupboards and not put back. The initial "surveyor" said the job would take a couple of weeks, took nearly six. (He also hand-wavingly said "everything would be top of the range" when I asked about a battery - of course, there is no battery included!)

Their skip was still outside my livingroom window four weeks after the job ended - not actually too much of a problem because I live on a farm and there's space, but imagine if it were in a street with limited parking! Took two phone calls, a bit of swearing, and an email to the CEO to get it shifted.

The Czech plasterers were brilliant though. And the Dutch solar dude was unobtrusive.

@Wafflefudge @JustCuriousASHP
hello, would you mind me asking a few q’s?
we are in the process of waiting for this- but it keeps getting stalled. Told we are eligible and the funding is in place but now been 8 weeks waiting for them to start (after them giving us short notice too to get house emptied and saying a date that didn’t materialise)
did you sign/get any paperwork/contracts before the work started? Don’t know if I’ve ended up with dodgy installer

I've applied three times, since 2020, and it's always worked out that the 'installers' get money for surveys etc.
Then this very short lived company will go bust and keep the money.
Nobody has ever turned up to do the actual work.

Thanks for the reply @BloodyLegalBeagles
that actually crossed our minds- the same people have been to survey 4 times now….and do the exact same thing each time!?
did you get as far as any paperwork or contract?

I have been approved for ECO-4 funding but waiting for a survey appointment.. I am curious regarding wall insulation, the type done with insulation and plasterboard. Does the grant cover plastering, electrics and decorating.

all The work including plasterboard and plastering will be done - the electrics should be placed back as they were, and you get a cheque towards decorating at the end is what we’ve been told

Can I ask which company you went with? We have had 2 surveys done by LMFenergy, I was told we would be top of the list (3 bed house with one storage heater, no hot water, all fun and games with 3 kids!) and work would start end of Jan. I have chased them up again and been told that the installers have now decided our property doesn’t meet the minimum requirements. I only claimed UC for 2 months at the end of my maternity and so we are only eligible for 12 months from August so really keen to get it in place! Just need to know who to trust to actually do the work!

I went with a local company with good reviews. Not one of the national providers.
Everything has gone pretty well.
It is a lot of disruption due to the scale of work. Insulation, plastering, electrics, new radiators, extraction fans, ASHP and solar all included.
Redecorating is not.
Our house now has nice constant heat and is cheaper than oil I think. Solar making big difference.
Happy to answer questions.

thanksm for the update @Wafflefudge thats so promising to hear of a positives result! How long did the work take? Did they do the electrics? Many thanks

F

The bulk of the work was over two weeks but little bits and pieces can take longer with tradesmen popping in to check things or tweak things. They need to finish off some minor bits e.g missed a small bit of skirting board.
Yes they do all the electrical work necessary.

Also I've seen other posts where there's money for decorating but it's not included where I am. Perhaps it varies in different local authorities.

Thanks @Wafflefudge

Just bumping this to ask - is it possible to get 'just' the loft insulation? We have spent a lot of time and money decorating the rooms etc and definitely do not want that disturbing, nor do we want the rooms making smaller! But I would be interested in getting the loft insulation upgraded. Would this be possible?

Hi There
Thinking of having some walls in my old property insulated,
but really only interested in 2 rooms, 3 walls in each room,
just wondered if they only except if you want all rooms
that are outside walls done.
We have just had a canvaser call, and given him all our information, if we decied not to go ahead, is it best to cancel
before or after the survey.
I am also worried about the disruption, ( my husband is 86 ) and damage and work
needed after they have gone.
I would be very greatful for your help.
Lynne.