Rogue installers are exploiting the opportunity to make doorstep and cold calls to vulnerable homeowners.
Rise in Loft Spray Insulation Scams in South Gloucestershire and Gloucestershire
South Gloucestershire Council, along with six other Gloucestershire authorities and Trading Standards, reports an increase in doorstep and cold-call scams targeting homeowners to invest in spray-in insulation.
Scammers are deceiving homeowners by claiming that their current insulation is either likely to cause damage or will soon become illegal. They then persuade homeowners to opt for an alternative spray-in insulation, sold at inflated prices.
These dishonest companies often use databases of people aged 70 and over, as well as lists of properties that already have loft spray foam insulation, to target potential victims. Commission-based salespeople pose as expert surveyors and pressure homeowners into signing contracts for unnecessary and expensive work, which is often carried out within days to avoid cancellations.
The councils’ home energy advice service, Warm and Well, encourages homeowners to stay vigilant and avoid feeling pressured into paying for any property upgrades.
South Gloucestershire Council Cabinet Member for Adults and Housing, Cllr Ben Stokes, said: “Through our Warm and Well service, residents can access independent expert advice and, in many cases, grant funding for work that improves their property’s energy efficiency. This helps people make significant savings on energy bills and supports our efforts to tackle the climate emergency. Unfortunately, scams like this undermine confidence in legitimate insulation schemes, which rarely use doorstep selling tactics. Our advice is always to seek information independently and if you’re concerned you may have been targeted by a scam, contact Trading Standards via the Citizen’s Advice helpline.”
In collaboration with the Trading Standards team at South Gloucestershire Council, Warm and Well has published advice on spotting and avoiding scams, available online at warmandwell.co.uk/scams.
Bernadette Muldowney, who leads the Warm and Well team, explains the risks: “We love insulation! It is one of the best ways to reduce the energy needed to heat our homes and is a powerful tool in the fight against climate change. But this also opens the door for unscrupulous companies to take advantage of people’s best intentions by selling them unnecessary and expensive improvements. This not only incurs unnecessary costs but may also cause long-term damage to the property. We strongly encourage homeowners to stay vigilant, recognize the signs of scams, and seek independent advice rather than agreeing to unsolicited offers.”
The Warm and Well service is delivered by local charity Severn Wye Energy Agency and funded by South Gloucestershire Council along with Cheltenham Borough Council, Cotswold District Council, Forest of Dean District Council, Gloucester City Council, Stroud District Council, and Tewkesbury Borough Council. Warm and Well offers free home energy advice and grant funding and can be contacted on freephone 0800 500 3076.
