Household alleges poor insulation led to significant mould growth
Zoe Godrich, a mother of three, had cavity-wall insulation installed under the Government's Great British Insulation Scheme (formerly known as the Eco Plus Scheme) with the expectation of saving on energy bills. However, her home has since been plagued with moisture issues, mould infestations, and health concerns for her family.
The insulation work carried out by Installers UK, now defunct, is believed by Zoe to be the cause of the moisture issues in her home. The firm, on the other hand, claimed that the problem stemmed from a hole in the roof.
The mould infestation in Zoe's home is attributed to a 'botched' cavity-wall insulation job performed three years ago. Over three million homes have received cavity-wall insulation through green energy schemes since 2008, but Ofgem's data suggests that insulation in hundreds of thousands of homes could have failed due to poor installation.
The company that installed the insulation in Zoe's home is not publicly specified. Energy suppliers were only required to inspect 5% of installations, raising concerns about the remaining 95%. Seasoned building surveyor, David Walter, criticized the insulation and extraction work as poorly executed during his April inspection of Zoe's home.
Zoe's case highlights potential issues with the government's energy efficiency schemes and the need for proper insulation installation to prevent health and property damage. Her daughters now require asthma medication, a condition that developed after the insulation was installed. Zoe's son has also developed eczema, another condition that appeared after the insulation was installed.
The mould infestation in Zoe's home has been so severe that it has caused her children to suffer from eczema and asthma. The insulation caused severe black mould around the home, forcing disposal of beds, wardrobes, and a six-year-old daughter's baby doll due to fungi contamination. Despite her efforts, Zoe has not been able to resolve the mould issue, and her family has been forced to share a single room, sleeping on mattresses on the floor.
Zoe took out a £7,000 loan to have the insulation removed, but the mould problem worsened as she couldn't afford heating her cold home without insulation. The state of her home is described as 'looking like a squat,' with mould reappearing on the walls every two weeks despite her relentless efforts to remove it.
TrustMark, an independent company overseeing quality schemes for government projects, acknowledged the complexity of the issues at Zoe's property and pledged to collaborate with relevant bodies to ensure her home becomes a warm, comfortable, and healthy environment.
The Government is committed to protecting consumers undertaking home retrofit work and improving the overall consumer journey, as stated by Lord Callanan in February. However, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero could not comment on individual cases but directed to a ministerial statement by Lord Callanan acknowledging difficulties faced by consumers during retrofit work and the complex and confusing landscape offering protections for consumers.
Financial incentives from the government's insulation grants and a lack of proper oversight can lead to rushed, substandard work, according to David Walter. As the government continues to push for energy efficiency measures, it is crucial to ensure that these initiatives prioritise quality workmanship to protect homeowners and their families from potential health and property risks.
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