Free Insulation From NIE

23/10/2007

With the evenings drawing in and colder weather on the way, it’s a good time to think about getting your home insulated, ready for winter.  
 
Help is at hand for North Belfast households, who may be able to get roof space and wall insulation put in for free, thanks to a scheme from Northern Ireland Electricity.  
 
“Over half of all heat lost in an average home in Northern Ireland goes out through the roof and walls,” said NIE’s Claire McCambridge. “Installing insulation is one of the simplest ways to help save money off heating bills. In fact, you could save around £200 a year off your heating bills by putting in insulation.”  
 
Joanne Doak from North Belfast took advantage of the scheme last year. Joanne said: “I had cavity wall and loft insulation put in for free under this scheme.  
“The insulation makes a real difference and the house is much warmer and cosier for me and my daughter. I would encourage people in North Belfast to apply now to NIE to find out if they are eligible for these grants.”  
 
Roof space insulation acts as a blanket, trapping the heat from the house below. If you have cavity walls, insulating them will also make a great difference.  
 
Christine Magee from National Energy Action added: “Energy costs are on the increase, making it all the more important to make the best use of whatever heat we are generating in our homes. It simply doesn’t make sense to allow ‘expensive’ heat to be lost through either the roof or the walls. Insulation is a very effective way of saving and keeping warm.  
 
Anyone in North Belfast who has concerns over their ability to keep their homes sufficiently warm, should contact me on Tel: 028 9023 9909  
 
NIE has a number of free insulation installations available for North Belfast residents. Funded from NIE’s Energy Efficiency Programme, this scheme is for people on lower income.  
 
Do you qualify? Are you:  
•Single with an income or pension of less than £12,000 (gross per annum)?  
•A couple or lone parent family with an income or pension of less than £18,000 (gross p.a)?  
•Are you or your spouse/partner receiving a means tested benefit?  
•Are you or your spouse/partner, or a dependant relative of any age living with you, receiving Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance or Incapacity Benefit?  
•Do you or your spouse/partner have a particular health need that is made worse by the cold?  
 
If you do not meet any of the above criteria, NIE has another scheme open to everyone which gives up to £150 cashback when you have loft insulation installed and another £150 maximum cashback when you have cavity wall insulation installed, that’s up to £300 towards the cost of insulating your home.  
 
To apply for either insulation deal from NIE, call the Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre on freephone 0800 512 012. For a full list of energy saving grants available from NIE visit  
www.nie-yourenergy.co.uk  

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