Green energy deal

[NaturalBaby]

We moved into a Victorian house a few weeks ago and it's starting to get cold. I'm not sure what there is in terms of insulation but a couple of rooms are considerably cooler than others and we need a new boiler (among a million other things!). We've contacted a local company and they've been pretty useless at getting back to us, let alone taking our enquiry further so I'm looking into other companies.

Has anyone got any experience they can talk to me about?

If you contact the Energy Saving Advice Service (govt funded service that is free to use) they should be able to provide you with a list of companies operating in your area. They can also provide advice on what type of measures would suit your type of property.

I looked into the green deal for an oil boiler.

you need to get a new EPC. You then need to get a quote from an approved firm. You then get the work done. You then apply for the cashback, which you may get a) if it is approved and b) if there is anything left from the fund.

there might be money left as these hoops are so impossible that almost no-one is taking it up.

the loans are also at a massive interest rate. Should you ever wish to sell the property in future, good luck doing that with a loan on it which transfers to the new owner.

energy save by all means - but the green deal is greenwash.

Hmm, I am a bit sceptical - it's hard to know which companies are genuine and which are jumping on the bandwagon. I don't like the idea of a loan at all - we just want to buy a new boiler and get some insulation in!

if it is a std Victorian stone built house there will be no insulation on the walls - nor can any insulation be put into the walls. The gap between the lath and the stone is pretty small but the house needs this gap to breathe - if you fill up this gap you will get condensation and damp in the house. good heavy curtains are good for blocking out drafts, if it has sash windows get them seen to in order to stop drafts through them too. carpets help stop drafts coming up through the floors.

It is std Victorian and all the lovely thick curtains were taken when the vendor moved out! The coldest bit, where we spend all our time, is the kitchen/utility area with a cat flap in the back door so we're trying to work out how to make the door area warmer. The utility room can't be closed off as we have to go through it to get to the playroom.