You don’t need reminding that winter is well and truly underway. If you’ve not already insulated your loft, you could be losing a quarter of your home’s heat through the roof - increasing the amount of energy being used and needlessly adding cost to your heating bills.

Many people are put off by the cost of undertaking such a task, despite the fact they could be saving as much as £180 a year once insulation is in place. Fortunately there are a number of grants available to homeowners, meaning homeowners could be entitled to free loft insulation.

What is a loft insulation grant?

A loft insulation grant is provided by Green Deal - a government initiative aimed at making sure as many UK homes as possible are properly insulated, green and environmentally friendly.

The grant covers the cost of materials and labour, so you won’t have to pay a single penny (if eligible).

What if I’m not eligible?

Regardless of whether you’re eligible for the grant or not, it’s still worth looking into insulating your loft by whatever means. There are a number of government schemes available to most homeowners who want to insulate their loft but don’t want to pay for it right away - breaking the payments down over a set period.

Another option is to insulate your loft by yourself. Blanket insulation is relatively easy to handle and sits neatly between ceiling joists in your loft. It doesn’t require a professional (unless you feel you can’t manage yourself) and is very effective.

Either way, make sure you have a proper loft ladder installed in order to provide secure access to your loft area.

Do I qualify for a grant?

There is more than one type of grant available to cover the cost and work done for your loft insulation. The first applies if you receive one or more types of benefit. These include pension credit, child tax credit and working tax credit.

Specific post code areas are also eligible. The government has deemed some areas more fuel-impoverished than others, regardless of your income.

Finally you may also be eligible for a loft insulation grant if you have cavity walls that would otherwise be too expensive/difficult to insulate. The added benefit here is that you could enjoy free loft insulation as well as free insulated walls.

You can check if you’re eligible simply by applying for a grant. Energy suppliers authorised to offer this grant will display the ‘Green Deal Approved’ insignia (see below) - so keep an eye out!

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