Durham Home Insulation Scheme
Wall and loft insulation can be the most cost effective way to save energy in the home.
Up to 33 per cent of the heat in your home is lost through the walls and up to 20 per cent can be lost through the roof - and the quicker heat escapes from your home the higher your heating bills will be.
By insulating the walls and roof in your home, the heating system will not need to produce as much heat and this will save you up to £120.00 a year on energy bills. It will also cut your carbon emissions.
As part of the Warm Homes Campaign, free and subsidised home insulation measures are available to people living in County Durham.
Working in partnership with Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE), Durham County Council manages the Durham Home Insulation Scheme, which is available to owner occupiers and private tenants.
Insulation measures available under this scheme include:
Free Priority Insulation Scheme
Homeowners and private tenants in receipt of a qualifying benefit or disability premium can qualify for free cavity wall and loft insulation (free loft insulation is dependant on there being less than 60mm of insulation already installed in the loft).
Subsidised Home Insulation Scheme
All homeowners and private tenants in County Durham can qualify for a discount off the normal cost of cavity wall and loft insulation. Prices are available following the free home survey.
How to apply
Please contact the Warm Homes Team on the number at the bottom of the page and we will forward your details to the managing agent.
All applicants will receive a free home survey from an approved scheme contractor to ensure your home is suitable for insulation measures to be installed.
The contractor will contact you directly to arrange a convenient date and time to carry out the free survey and provide a no obligation quotation where applicable.
All cavity wall installations come with a 25 year CIGA (Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency).
Other insulation measures
Draught proofing
Draw the curtains at dusk and tuck behind the radiators to keep the heat in and draughts out. Fit draught excluders to doors or hang a curtain in front of the door to keep out draughts.
There are grants available to help you draught-proof the doors and windows in your home. Contact Warm Front for details using the contact details at the bottom of the page.
Double glazing
Double glazing traps air between two panes of glass, reducing heat loss, noise and condensation.
No grants are available to help you install double glazing in your home, however, if you cannot afford to replace the glazing in the whole house, why not choose the rooms that cost you the most money to heat? By doing this you could reduce heat loss in your home by up to 20 per cent. Alternatively, secondary glazing is less expensive and can still save you around £30 a year in heating bills.
Related link
Decent Homes Assistance