As the Solid Wall Insulation Guarantee Agency (SWIGA) announces that it has extended its guarantee to cover high rise properties over five storeys, Knauf Insulation is reminding installers that a SWIGA guarantee (or other appropriate guarantee) is required to obtain Energy Company Obligation (ECO) funding for solid wall insulation.

Established to provide householders with an independent, uniform and dependable 25 year guarantee covering professionally installed external, internal or hybrid solid wall insulation solutions, the SWIGA Quality Assurance Framework provides additional peace of mind and access to technical expertise in the event of any design, workmanship or material defects.

Ofgem’s ECO Guidance for Suppliers requires an appropriate guarantee for the insulation of all solid walls under the scheme and SWIGA meets the requirements for Solid Wall Insulation work.

The SWIGA guarantee is only available for work completed by registered SWIGA Installers using approved solid wall insulation systems, such as Knauf Insulation’s ThermoShell systems. Specifically developed to be the most effective solution to ‘whole house – low energy’ refurbishments, Knauf Insulation’s ThermoShell systems deliver exceptional levels of thermal performance and comfort.

Steve Duke, Sales Director for Contracting and Refurbishment at Knauf Insulation, commented: “It’s great news that the SWIGA guarantee has been extended to cover high-rise properties, as this opens up access to ECO for many households that previously would have been excluded. The Green Deal and ECO have really shone the spotlight on solid wall insulation so it’s essential that we work together as an industry to deliver consistently high standards of installation. The SWIGA guarantee is an excellent quality marker, which will certainly help ensure consumer confidence.

“What’s more, our ThermoShell systems are only available to approved ThermoShell installers who have completed training at our dedicated academy in Birmingham. This enables us to offer 25-year guarantees on our systems and gives homeowners even greater assurances of long-term performance and quality. Most importantly, as ThermoShell is the only system that offers both EWI and IWI, we are in the unique position of being able to provide a hybrid system that treats each façade of the property with the most appropriate solution.”

The Knauf Insulation ThermoShell IWI system incorporates thermally engineered EcoStuds, which eliminate the thermal bridging issue associated with traditional timber and metal studs. High performance Earthwool® EcoBatt glass mineral wool slabs are then friction fitted between the EcoStuds to completely fill the available space. This delivers benefits over other systems that use rigid foam insulation boards, which have the potential to cause air leakage if they are not accurately cut and installed.

Knauf Insulation’s ThermoShell EWI System is a cost effective solid wall solution that avoids any internal disruption, so it is ideal for residential properties, flats and office buildings, where installing internal wall insulation may not be an option. The system has been designed to last for the lifetime of the property, protecting the existing façade from the effects of weathering and extending the longevity of the building, whilst also providing the opportunity to enhance and upgrade the appearance of existing properties. The flexibility of Knauf Insulation’s EWI system means it can be installed over a variety of existing substrates including brick, stonework and concrete blockwork.