James is our Assets Performance Manager who sits within our Assets team who manage all of our planned works in your home. James will be sharing some useful tips on how to reduce heating costs to save money and reduce the amount of carbon your home produces.
Get in touch
For general energy saving advice please email asset.management@hafod.org.uk or visit the Energy Saving Trust website.
If you are concerned about the performance of your loft insulation, please email asset.management@hafod.org.uk to arrange your free stock condition survey or take a look at this government fact sheet.
Ask James
Do you have a question for our Assets Performance Manager?
Our Assets Performance Manager, James, is available to our customers for advice on how to reduce heating costs to save money and reduce the amount of carbon your home produces.
Have you got a question? If so, ask James here.
James recently visited a customer's home alongside a Stock Condition Specialist. The customer was worried they were paying out more money to heat their property than they needed to, especially with energy bills going up from 1 January 2024.
Dear James. Why was the loft insulation being inspected, if it was the correct thickness, as there were items stored up there? Could I be losing heat from my property if the loft insulation is old?
"Great question, we need to visit all our properties at least once every five years to make sure the data we hold is correct, assess the condition of the property, looking at kitchens, bathrooms, roofs, doors and the loft insulation.
"We measure the loft insulation to ensure it meets the current building regulations (depth of at least 270mm or 27cm). If the Surveyor is not happy they will arrange for its replacement (expected to last 80-100 years).
"Did you know that storing items on top of the insulation compresses it, leading to potential heat loss. You can lose up to 25% of the heat in your home through the roof without the correct insulation."
Dear James. I'm not sure if I'm eligible for the Great British Insulation Scheme that I heard about on a money saving website. I'm not sure if I have to be a homeowner or not, or how to apply?
"Hafod properties can (if eligible) receive funding under the scheme. See if your property is eligible here. You may be able to get free or cheaper insulation to reduce your home’s energy bills if your home has an energy performance certificate (EPC) of D to G - check your EPC here. You also need to be in Council Tax bands A-E and can check your Council Tax band here.
"You don’t get money in your hand to buy the insulation yourself. It’s all managed by your energy company. You may be required to pay a contribution towards the cost, but this will not be known until after the initial assessment of your home and will depend on the group you fall into. The insulation available is cavity wall, solid wall insulation (internal or external), loft insulation, flat or pitched roof insulation, underfloor insulation, solid floor insulation, room-in-roof insulation.
"Applications to the £1 billion Great British Insulation Scheme are now open. According to the government, the funding could save eligible homeowners on average up to £400 a year on their energy bills. If you fall within the above EPC and Council Tax Bands then please apply here, we can't apply for you. If you are successful, please email asset.management@hafod.org.uk to request our permission for the work to go ahead."