Thousands of Homes Stricken by Dampness and Mould, With Authorities Labeling Insulation Program a Systemic Breakdown

In a series of recent developments, concerns over the quality of insulation under government-backed schemes have come to light, affecting thousands of households across the UK. The issues, primarily connected to solid wall insulation, have been reported in lower-income regions such as Luton and County Durham, where residents have faced problems ranging from black mould and peeling plaster to unsafe living conditions.

The problems with the insulation are not isolated mistakes but might indicate a systemic failure. This echoes past retrofit scandals in the UK, with earlier schemes like the Green Homes Grant and the Renewable Heat Incentive failing to meet expectations. The Public Accounts Committee even labelled the Green Homes Grant a "slam-dunk fail."

The scale of the failure affects households across diverse regions, suggesting the problem is not confined to one demographic or geography. One homeowner in Luton described experiencing extensive damp and mould, making it difficult to sleep. Ongoing oversight measures include more rigorous audits, obligations for installers to remediate defects, and promises of transparency and better guidance for consumers.

In early remediation efforts, 90% of identified poor-quality installations have been corrected at no cost to consumers. The government has committed to swift action in response to the ECO4/GBIS debacle. The government has implemented stricter energy efficiency standards, increased funding for quality assurance measures, and introduced enhanced training and certification requirements for installers in the ECO4 and GBIS programs to improve the quality of thermal insulation.

The Warm Homes Plan is being overhauled, with new standards including higher qualification requirements for installers, single-certification-per-measure, and the establishment of a Retrofit System Reform Advisory Panel. The Energy Security and Net Zero Committee has criticized the stop-start nature of retrofit programs, hindering long-term progress on home energy efficiency.

While the effectiveness of these actions remains to be seen, it is encouraging to note that other measures under the same schemes, like those administered through local authorities or social housing, show higher compliance rates. Thirty-nine companies have been suspended from conducting new work under government insulation schemes.

The government's preliminary audit reveals over 30,000 homes under the ECO4 and GBIS schemes have received poor-quality insulation. Ofgem has written to approximately 60,000 households that received solid wall insulation under the schemes. The issues with these retrofit programs underscore the importance of robust oversight, quality assurance, and consumer protection in such initiatives.

As the government works to address these issues, it is crucial to learn from past mistakes and strive for continuous improvement in the delivery of these vital energy efficiency measures. The future of Britain's retrofit schemes depends on it.

Thousands of Homes Stricken by Dampness and Mould, With Authorities Labeling Insulation Program a Systemic Breakdown