In fact, on account of the huge investment some of these measures require, I sold off many properties which were economically unviable. The bottom line: I could not afford to solve all of the energy-efficiency problems of all of the properties.
The Great British Insulation Scheme targeted both “general” people (those with properties rated D-G) and low-income households (including those in receipt of benefits). It wasn’t really clear as a “general” person what sort of contribution you had to pay, but I figured I’d tackle the cost, once I knew the savings on offer.
Either way, given this was a scheme where your energy supplier arranged a visit by a surveyor to conduct a retrofit assessment and advise how you could make changes to the property to cut energy use and reduce carbon emissions – I was all in.
In fact, I was so behind this scheme I sent the weblink to every tenant, letting agent, friend and family member, encouraging them to sign up. “It takes just two minutes”, was my sales cry. “You could save a huge amount – sign up today!”.
The scheme is designed to complement the Energy Company Obligation (EC04) scheme, so I thought support on different levels was available. The possible insulation measures were enticing:
- Cavity wall (including party wall)
- Loft
- Solid wall
- Pitched roof
- Flat roof
- Under-floor
- Solid floor
- Park home
- Room-in-roof.
As somebody who’s been studying retro-fit installation, I was in my element. I couldn’t wait to hear what an adviser would suggest.
The problem: I have never spoken to anyone.
Nor has anyone else who I encouraged to sign up for this potentially life changing experience. Apart from the initial acknowledgement email thanking them for showing interest, not one person I know has ever had a follow-up, or a visit from the hallowed surveyor, let alone any work executed.
