Fully Funded Cavity Wall Insulation to Blocks of Flats

“It’s encouraging that access equipment costs are included for both insulation and access equipment costs under ECO as three storey blocks are considered as hard to treat. Under the previous CERT and CESP initiatives we saw these costs as the main barrier to insulation works and these have now been removed” comments Katie Swain, ECO manager for Sustain.

“It is essential there is clear engagement with residents, as whilst all works are external there is a need for arrangements to be made for safety checks and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) assessments.”

Modern materials and installation methods are far removed from older, more problematic foam systems installed in the 1970s, where performance has reduced over time. Today, all materials and installation methods are independently tested and approved by the British Board of Agrément (BBA).

As more insulation contractors are capitalising on offering this service, it’s important for property managers and resident associations to be aware of the opportunity that ECO presents, but also to be mindful of ensuring that the contractor is suitably experienced and qualified, and will carry out high quality work that adheres to ECO guidelines.

In order to access ECO funding all installers must be accredited to the PAS2030 standard and use materials to the approved standards. However, it isn’t just the formal accreditations to watch out for; many insulation contractors haven’t had experience of surveying larger buildings and are therefore not used to working at height, for instance, or using proper mobile access equipment. In the majority of cases full scaffolding is not necessary and the use of a MEWP (Mobile Elevated Work Platform) is easier, more cost-effective, and offers the least amount of disruption to all concerned, but experience is still a must.

“We ensure that all the contractors we work with take steps to ensure as little disruption to the residential block or residents themselves as possible – contractors are encouraged to answer all queries and provide clear information on what to expect throughout the process  Ensuring the grass areas are all protected and that the insulation is stored and taken away at the end of the job may seem small, but these are important elements to making sure the insulation works are carried out to a high standard with minimal disruption.”

With the requirements of the EPCs as part of the funded obligation and the improvement from the insulation works, carrying out cavity wall insulation will not only result in benefits to the residents, but also provide landlords with a head start against future legislation, which from 2018 will prevent properties from being rented without an EPC rating of an E or better.

The benefits of cavity wall insulation are multi-faceted, and now that the cost barrier has been removed, there has never been a better time to initiate works.

Sustain offers a fully funded and managed programme of cavity wall insulation for blocks of flats. For further information, please visit www.sustain.co.uk/cavity-wall-insulation