Elizabeth Sadler - Tendring

Elizabeth Sadler (aged 75) is a retired radiographer who has lived in her Tendring home for over five years. She recently had unsafe loft insulation replaced as part of Essex County Council’s Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery Scheme.

Speaking about how she found out about the scheme, Elizabeth said: “I came across a post on the Essex County Council Facebook page advertising the free funding, so I made a note of the contact number and gave the council a call.”

After making initial contact Elizabeth’s query was passed to Aran Insulation, Essex County Council’s contractor for the scheme.

She continued: “The Aran team took it from there and it was an incredibly straight-forward and simple process. I had a survey carried out when I bought my property, so the team could see, even before visiting, that I already had some green measures in place, such as cavity wall insulation and a modern boiler.

They did however note that my loft insulation wasn’t up to the government’s current standards, so they organised for a surveyor to come and take a look.”

During a visit to inspect Elizabeth’s home, which was built in the 1970s, the surveyor was alarmed to see that not only did the original loft insulation fall below today’s standards, it was actually paper-based, meaning it was highly flammable.  

Elizabeth added: “It was very frightening to hear that my loft insulation didn’t comply with any fire regulations and posed a real risk to my safety. The surveyor said that Aran would replace the insulation as soon as possible for me. I was so grateful.”

Less than two weeks later, the contractors arrived at Elizabeth’s home to replace her flammable loft insulation. The whole process took less than a day to complete.

Commenting on the works, Elizabeth said: “I was so taken by the Aran team, they did a wonderful job. They put covering up the stairs to protect my carpet and left no mess at all.

“They even insulated neatly around the previously exposed loft hatch, which has already stopped a draft coming through. I particularly noticed the difference when it was cooler a couple of weeks ago. My upstairs rooms were so warm as the heat wasn’t escaping through the gaps like it used to. I know I’ll appreciate the new insulation in the winter as it’s made a vast difference to the warmth of my house already.”

Once works were completed, Elizabeth was sent a certificate in the post to show that her new loft insulation meets all current fire and energy efficiency regulations.

Elizabeth added: “I’m so relieved my home now has a reduced fire risk. I would strongly urge all Essex residents who feel they fit the scheme’s criteria to just pick up the phone and call Aran Insulation. Like myself, many others may be living in a dangerous home and not even realise it. Getting my loft insulated didn't cost me a penny as was so simple to sign up for. If I can do it, anybody can!"

John Davies - Clacton

John Davies is a retired senior hotel officer and widower who has lived in his Clacton home for fourteen years. John had external wall insulation fitted under the Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery scheme.

As Mr Davies’ home was built in the 1930s with no insulation on the upper floor, it was exceptionally cold in the winter. John said: “My wife and I would struggle to get warm, and we would sit in the front room with blankets over us. No matter how much we tried, it would be so cold”.  

Fast-forward to 2020 and the introduction of the government’s Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery Scheme. Now living with his beloved dog, a Lhasa Apso called Bertie, John approached Essex County Council to see if he could take advantage of the funding on offer for lower income homeowners.

Essex County Council’s contractor for the scheme, Aran Insulation, soon organised for a surveyor to visit John’s property to assess its energy rating and decide on appropriate works.

Speaking about the visit, John said: “After letting me know that I was eligible for the scheme, the surveyor explained to me that, because the upper floor of my home had no cavity, external wall insulation could be installed to add an extra layer of protection against the elements.”

A minimally disruptive procedure, external wall insulation comprises of an insulation layer fitted to the existing exterior wall of a property, which is finished with a protective render or decorative finish.

Once works were arranged, the insulation took just over five days to be installed on Mr Davies’ property. John added: “When the contractors arrived, they were polite, hard-working and efficient, and got the job done very quickly!”

Alongside helping John’s property to retain more warmth, external wall insulation should also reduce both his heating bills and carbon emissions.

“The site manager informed me that the insulation could reduce my bills by around £300 a year,” he said.

John continued: “It’s not really about the money for me though, I’m just looking forward to being more comfortable in the winter. It’s also nice to be doing my bit for the environment.”

Cheryl & David Sapstead - Benfleet

Cheryl (65) and David (67) Sapstead have lived in their Benfleet home for almost 25 years. They recently had insulation fitted as part of Essex County Council’s Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery Scheme.

Speaking about their semi-detached bungalow, 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 Sapstead’s 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 which in turn reduces heating bills and carbon emissions.

The process took just over five days to complete and David said: “The house looks so nice now. The contractors finished with a pale cream render that looks much fresher and modern.”

The couple has also already begun to notice a difference in the comfort of their home. 

Cheryl said: “We’ve had a couple of colder days where 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 go ahead and apply for the council’s green home improvement schemes.”