Thousands of homes at risk of mould & damp through ‘systematic failure' of government scheme – see if yours is affected

The Sun

4 days ago

TENS of thousands of homes could be at risk of mould and damp thanks to dodgy insulation being installed through Government-backed schemes.
Households were encouraged to install the measures through two Government schemes aimed at increasing energy efficiency.
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But independent body Trustmark previously found "widespread cases of poor-quality solid wall insulation" installed in homes under the schemes.
Now the Government has admitted there was a "systematic failure" that could put homes at risk of mould, damp and other serious issues.
Miatta Fahnbulleh, the minister for energy consumers, said in a statement that early evidence suggests a "majority" of installations of solid wall insulation were not done "to the appropriate standard".
An audit found examples of poor quality work, including inadequate ventilation or roof-line extensions.
The audit is set to be completed later this summer with the results published in the autumn.
The two schemes affected are the Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) and the Great British Insulation Scheme.
They were launched by the previous Conservative government in April 2022 and May 2023.
The schemes let eligible households apply for free energy-efficiency upgrades, including solid wall insulation, through their energy supplier or local council.
They were aimed at keeping homes warmer and lowering bills for households.
Solid walls - meaning they have no gaps or cavities - are usually found in properties built before the 1920s.
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They can be insulated by adding a layer of material to the inside or outside to trap heat.
But the initial investigation by Trustmark found:
Exposed insulation or poor ventilation that could lead to damp and mould
A "very small number" of properties with serious health and safety concerns, such as incorrectly fitted wiring
More minor issues, such as missing or incorrect paperwork.
What if I'm affected?
Not all homes that had this insulation fitted will be unsafe or at risk.
If it's thought you've been affected then you'll be contacted automatically by energy regulator Ofgem.
The Government previously said households can expect to receive a letter from Ofgem explaining how it will check if your home is impacted.
If any issues are found, you will not have to pay to get it fixed - the company that originally installed it will be required to fix it for you.
If the firm has gone out of business, you should be covered by a £20,000 guarantee.
Ms Fahnbulleh said: "I know this news will be concerning for people who have had external or internal wall insulation fitted through either scheme we have inherited.
"That is why we are taking action to put this right, forcing installers to fix any poor-quality installations as soon as possible and at their own expense.
"Affected households should look out for a letter from Ofgem, which will set out steps to resolve any issues."
How else can I insulate my home?
There are plenty of other safe ways to insulate your home.
You could try adding a layer of mineral wool or sheep wool to your loft or in your roof.
It costs around £900 to insulate a semi-detached home with 270mm of loft insulation, the Energy Saving Trust says.
But it could save you around £230 a year, meaning you would make the cost back in around three years.
Avoid getting spray foam insulation installed as this could actually damage your home and make it difficult to sell.
You can also draught-proof your windows and doors yourself on the cheap to prevent heat escaping to save around £40 a year.
A roll of draught insulation tape costs around £5, or you can get a professional in for around £250.
Inefficient boilers can also cost you money on your energy bills.