FAQs

General | Cavity Wall Insulation | Loft Insulation

What is the Island Insulation Scheme? It is a scheme to offer free and discounted home insulation to owner-occupiers and those living in private rented accommodation on the Island. The Scheme is being funded by E.ON and is endorsed by the Isle of Wight Council.

When will it be launched? It was launched on 11 October 2009 at the Big Day Out.

Why is E.ON funding the Island Insulation Scheme? E.ON Chief Executive, Paul Golby said, “Installing energy efficiency measures like loft and cavity wall insulation are simple ways for individuals to reduce their own energy usage, and this will help to reduce the Island’s carbon footprint.
“By supporting the Island Insulation Scheme, E.ON can make sure that becoming more energy efficient is easy for everyone”.
E.ON is funding the Island Insulation Scheme as part of the Government obligation on energy suppliers to improve domestic energy efficiency known as CERT (Carbon Emissions Reduction Target). Under CERT, energy suppliers must, by 2011, deliver measures that will provide overall lifetime carbon dioxide (CO2) savings of 154 million tonnes. That is an equivalent to the emissions from 700,000 homes each year.

Who are the Partners? The Scheme is funded by E.ON and endorsed and promoted by the Isle of Wight Council. On-Island delivery of the Scheme (surveying and installation) is through Mark Group and the operation of Heatseekers (see below) is by the Energy Saving Partnership, both of whom are working under contract to E.ON.

How were the partners selected? In order to select a contractor to deliver the Island Insulation Scheme, a formal tender process was undertaken, with the six major fuel utilities invited to tender. E.ON submitted a tender which offered carbon reduction measures to householders at the lowest price and which most satisfactorily met the requirements of the specification.

How long will the Scheme run? The Scheme will run until 31st December 2012 or until E.ON has fully completed it's CERT obligations.

Will there be other insulation schemes available to residents? Yes. All the fuel utilities have home insulation offers and these are likely to be available to Island residents. However, the Island Insulation Scheme is the only scheme which is being endorsed by the Council and which is guaranteed to be available until 31st December 2012 or until E.ON has fully completed it's CERT obligations.

Why is the Council introducing the Scheme? Our Eco Island vision requires dramatic action to reduce the energy demands of the Island’s housing stock, which is the most significant component of the Island’s carbon footprint. In addition to reducing carbon emissions, improved home insulation can also reduce fuel bills for householders, reduce damp and condensation and provide a healthier environment for occupants.

How many jobs are being created? Mark Group is establishing a permanent contractor base on the Island and will employ 22 local people in administrative, installation and technical surveying services.

Who is the Scheme aimed at? The Scheme will be available to private households (owner-occupied and privately rented) only, since improvements to the thermal efficiency of social housing are being carried out by Housing Associations under the Decent Homes Standard. The Scheme is therefore applicable to 90% of the Island’s housing stock.

What does it cost? The Scheme provided by E.ON will offer free loft and cavity wall insulation to all private households in receipt of benefits or with a householder aged over 70.

For all other households, subsidised rates of £150-180 for cavity wall insulation and £185-199 for loft insulation will be available. Currently there is a special offer for households aged 60-69 and households with children aged 18 and under of £99 per measure. Additional charges may apply where, for example, scaffolding is needed for cavity wall insulation or a loft hatch fitted to enable loft insulation. E.ON will meet these costs for priority group households.

Are there any other benefits? Electrisave energy monitors and Eco kettles will be available at discounted prices to all households via the E.ON webshop.

What about co-ordination with other schemes? Co-ordination with EAGA (the Energy Action Grants Agency) will ensure that households will be referred to the Government’s Warm Front Scheme when they require, and are eligible for, heating improvements. Surveyors will also be able to refer people on for benefit entitlement checks and a home fire safety check where these are required and where the householder agrees to the referral.

How will the Scheme be promoted? The Council and E.ON will jointly develop and agree a marketing strategy aimed at generating as many referrals as possible. The Scheme will be joint-branded to demonstrate its endorsement by the Council and give householders’ confidence. A freephone number, 0800 111 4968, freepost address and dedicated website (www.iwight.com/islandinsulation) will be established as the principal source of information on the Scheme and as the methods of self-referral.

What is Heatseekers? A key component of the Scheme is an innovative ‘HeatSeekers’ vehicle (www.homeheatseekers.co.uk) which takes a thermal image of each property from the road. The image clearly shows heat loss from the property and a letter will subsequently be hand-delivered to the householder along with details of the Insulation Scheme in a street by street approach. Advance publicity will be carried out to ensure that residents are fully aware of the HeatSeekers approach.

What about No Cold Calling Zones (NCCZs)? Extra care will be taken with the operation of HeatSeekers in NCCZs. A presentation will be made to all Town & Parish Councils which operate NCCZs before the vehicle starts operation and, with the assistance of Town & Parish Councils, residents will be informed about the scheme. Whilst NCCZs have been established to protect ‘vulnerable’ residents, these are often the people that can benefit most from home insulation.

What is the Community Rewards Scheme? As part of the Island Insulation Scheme, E.ON will establish a ‘community reward’ scheme, whereby community groups nominated by the Council will receive a payment of £25 for every eligible referral they make to the Scheme which results in work being carried out. This is aimed at supporting vulnerable households which would not normally apply to the Scheme, but which are known to local community members. The Council will develop and train a network of agencies to participate in the Community Reward Scheme.

How will standards be maintained? The contract with E.ON will ensure that work is carried out to a high standard, that all contractors on the Scheme are CRB checked, that high levels of customer care are maintained and monitored through customer feedback forms and technical monitoring and that health and safety regulations are met at all times. A 25 year guarantee is provided for the cavity wall insulation. The contractor will also ensure that data protection legislation is adhered to at all times.

Do I have to be an E.ON customer? No. The scheme is available to all private households regardless of their fuel supplier and there is no link to the sale of fuel.

After loft insulation, will I stiil be able to access my water tanks? Yes, the fitting of a walkway to water tanks in the loft is part of the standard job.