Cavity wall insulation

[Karen2005]

My husband and I are very keen to have cavity wall insulation installed in our property. However, as we live in a ground floor maisonette, we have to get the agreement of our upstairs neighbour. He is not so keen on the idea, having heard that it can cause "cold spots" and various other negative things. We have given him some literature from the energy savings trust and have also raised his concerns on his behalf with a couple of cavity wall insulation companies, all of whom have said that in the past cold spots may have been a problem, but with the new materials, this shouldn't be a cause for concern anymore. Also, all work is covered by a 25 year guarantee. Unfortunately, this wasn't enough to convince our neighbour, but he did say he might be swayed with some more evidence. Can anyone point me in the direction of an independent (ie not government or energy savings trust etc) source which has assessed the pros and cons of cavity wall insulation?

Many thanks in advance.
Karen

[Nether Edge]

Re maisonette: as it'll be leasehold, you would also ned consent from freeholder and any management company.

[Karen2005]

Thanks for this advice. It's something else to consider.

[Hawkwalk]

The two you have mentioned have all the answers you need. Can't think what further evidence he would need. It is possible to get a grant for this with some councils depending on your circumstances and also your neighbours.

Try asking other neighbours in the area if they have had it and what benefits they have seen in energy saving.

[Karen2005]

Thanks Hawkwalk. I would have thought the evidence from the energy savings trust etc would be enough. However, our neighbour reads the Telegraph and has shown us cuttings from Jeff Howell's On the Level column, who is staunchly against cavity wall insulation: (http://www.askjeff.co.uk/content.php?id=4). I think he will continue to believe the newspaper columnist's opinion rather than be swayed by any other evidence.

I guess it's not worth falling out with our neighbour over, but my husband and I are very "green" minded and feel this is one of the most effective things we can do for the environment and it's a shame we are unable to proceed unless we have our neighbour's agreement.

[buildersmate]

Try looking here.
http://www.bbacerts.co.uk/query.idq?CiRestrict ion=blown-in+cavity+wall+insulation&CiScope=/c erts/&TemplateName=query&CiSort=FileName[a]

BBA means the British Board of Agrement. Not sure how they are funded (its some pseudo Government body) but they independently test construction materials and methods and award certification. Since certification is then acceptable to Building Control.
The link takes you to the certification for blown CI - the most common these days. See if your chosen supplier is listed (it should be if any good) and print the Certificate - it explains what testing was done.

[Karen2005]

That's great - thanks Buildersmate