29 Jul Benfleet homeowners “ready for the future” thanks to fully funded insulation
An Essex couple has benefited from free improvements under Essex County Council’s Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery Scheme, which is coming to a close next month (30 August 2021).
Cheryl (65) and John (67) Sapstead recently had external wall insulation added to their semi-detached bungalow in Benfleet. The insulation will help to reduce the property’s heating costs and carbon emissions.
Speaking about their home, Cheryl Sapstead said: “Our house was built in the 1960s with solid brick walls and no cavity. Essentially whatever weather we had would just come straight through from outside!”
After a chilly winter which saw the couple’s heating on full blast most days, they came across the energy efficiency scheme online. David Sapstead said: “We found out about the insulation scheme on the Essex County Council Facebook page, filled in our contact details and just a week later we received a phone call.”
Essex County Council’s contractor for the scheme, Aran Insulation, soon arranged for a surveyor to visit the Sapsteads’ home.
Cheryl said: “Aran sent a surveyor round to see if we were eligible for the scheme and, if so, what we needed done to improve the energy efficiency of our home. We were accepted and work to install external wall insulation began a few weeks later.”
A minimally disruptive procedure, external wall insulation (EWI) involves an insulation layer being fixed to a property’s existing exterior wall which is finished with a protective render or decorative surface. EWI improves energy efficiency by limiting heat loss and in turn reduces heating bills and carbon emissions.
The process took just over five days and the couple has already begun to notice a difference in the comfort of their home.
Cheryl said: “We’ve had a couple of colder days when we’ve had to put the heating on. Before, there would still be a cold chill in the air but now the house seems to hold the heat in. During all the recent hot weather, the house has actually seemed cooler inside too.”
Cheryl added: “We’ve had all this work done for free and we are grateful for that because we’re hoping that it will make our home a lot warmer this winter. I’ve now recommended the scheme to my sister, and I would definitely encourage other Essex residents to consider applying for the council’s green home improvement schemes.”
Homeowners with a combined household income below £30,000 and an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E, F or G are invited to check eligibility for the free local authority grant of up to £10,000* to upgrade heating systems and install insulation.
Funding for the scheme, which ends next month, will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Further opportunities for funding are expected to be announced by Essex County Council later in the year.
Cllr Peter Schwier, Climate Csar at Essex County Council said: “I’m delighted to see that Cheryl and David have actively taken steps to ready their home for the future through our Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery scheme. Not only will the couple be reducing energy consumption through their new insulation, but they will also be doing their bit to help tackle climate change.
“I hope that the Sapsteads’ story will encourage many other Essex residents to pick up the phone and take advantage of every opportunity to boost their home’s energy efficiency.”
All works under this scheme must be completed by 30 August 2021. Qualifying homeowners are therefore encouraged to contact Aran Insulation, delivery partner for the scheme, as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you are interested in future funding opportunities please email [email protected]
