Park Home Insulation in Lancashire: Grants and Options

Park homes and residential mobile homes across Lancashire lose heat up to three times faster than a standard brick-built house, due to their thinner walls, single-glazed windows and poorly insulated floors. Upgrading the insulation on a park home typically costs £4,000-£10,000 depending on what is needed, but grants through the government energy efficiency scheme and the park homes insulation scheme can cover most or all of the cost for eligible residents. If you live in a park home in Lancashire and struggle with high heating bills or a cold home, help is available.

There are over 80 residential park home sites across Lancashire and Greater Manchester, from the Ribble Valley to the Fylde coast. Many residents are retired homeowners on fixed incomes who feel the impact of high energy costs acutely. The good news is that park homes respond dramatically well to insulation upgrades – residents regularly report heating bill reductions of 40-50% after comprehensive insulation work.

Why Park Homes Lose So Much Heat

Park homes are built to a different construction standard than permanent houses. They have:

• Thin walls: Typically 50-75mm thick, compared to 250-350mm for a brick house. Even with some insulation within the wall, the thermal performance is poor.
• Raised floors: Park homes sit on a chassis above ground level, with the floor exposed to cold air underneath. Without underfloor insulation, heat pours through the floor, and draughts enter through gaps around the perimeter.
• Thin roofs: The roof is often the largest surface area and may have minimal insulation, especially in older models.
• Single glazing: Many older park homes still have single-glazed or early double-glazed windows with poor seals.
• Air gaps: Over time, joints and seals around windows, doors and wall panels deteriorate, creating draughts.

The result is that a park home often has an EPC rating of F or G, and heating costs can easily exceed £2,000 per year even for a modest-sized home.

Insulation Options for Park Homes

Park home insulation is a specialist area, and the methods differ from standard house insulation. Here are the main options:

External wall insulation: Rigid insulation boards are fixed to the exterior walls and covered with a protective cladding or render finish. This is the most effective wall insulation method for park homes, as it creates a continuous thermal envelope without reducing internal space. Typical cost: £3,000-£6,000 depending on the size of the home.

Underfloor insulation: Insulation boards or spray foam are applied to the underside of the floor, and a new skirting system is fitted around the base to enclose the void beneath the home. This stops cold air circulating under the floor and can make an enormous difference to comfort. Typical cost: £1,500-£3,000.

Roof insulation: Additional insulation is added to the roof space (if accessible) or bonded to the underside of the roof. Some systems install over-roof insulation beneath new roofing material. Typical cost: £1,500-£3,500.

Window and door replacement: Upgrading to modern double or triple-glazed windows and insulated doors. Park home windows are non-standard sizes, so they need to be made to measure. Typical cost: £3,000-£6,000 for a full set.

Draught-proofing: Sealing gaps around windows, doors, wall joints and service penetrations. This is cheap and effective. Typical cost: £200-£500.

Grants for Park Home Insulation in Lancashire

Several grant schemes can fund park home insulation, sometimes covering the entire cost:

government energy efficiency scheme: Park homes are eligible for government energy efficiency schemes funding if the resident receives qualifying benefits and the home has an EPC of D or below (most do). Through government energy efficiency schemes, you can receive fully funded wall insulation, underfloor insulation, roof insulation and heating upgrades. This is the primary funding route for most Lancashire park home residents.

Park Homes Insulation Scheme (England): This dedicated scheme, funded by the government energy department (the government energy department), provides insulation specifically for park homes. It is not means-tested – you do not need to be on benefits to qualify. The scheme covers external wall insulation, underfloor insulation and roof insulation. Eligibility is based on the property type (must be a residential park home on a licensed site) rather than your income.

Local authority support: Some Lancashire councils run additional support for park home residents. Lancaster City Council and Fylde Borough Council have both been active in this area. Contact your local council’s housing team to ask about current programmes.

winter energy discount scheme: While not an insulation grant, the £150 annual discount on your electricity bill can help with ongoing energy costs while you explore insulation options.

How to Apply

The application process depends on which scheme you are using:

For government energy efficiency schemes, contact an approved government energy efficiency scheme installer who handles park homes. Not all government energy efficiency scheme installers work on park homes (it is a specialist area), so make sure you find one with specific park home experience. They will assess your eligibility, survey your home and manage the funding application.

For the Park Homes Insulation Scheme, the process usually starts with your park site manager or an approved insulation contractor. The scheme administrators assess your home, confirm it meets the criteria, and arrange the installation.

In both cases, you should not need to pay anything upfront if you are eligible. Be wary of any installer who asks for money before work begins on a grant-funded project.

What Difference Does It Make?

The before-and-after difference with park home insulation is often dramatic. Based on feedback from Lancashire park home residents who have had comprehensive insulation work done:

• Heating bills typically reduce by 40-50% (saving an estimated £600-£1,000 per year)
• The home reaches comfortable temperature faster and holds warmth longer
• Cold draughts around the floor perimeter are eliminated
• Condensation and damp issues improve significantly
• The home feels warmer even when the heating is turned down
• The EPC rating can improve by 2-3 bands (e.g., from G to D or E)

For older residents on fixed incomes, these improvements mean being able to heat their home comfortably without worrying about the next energy bill. It is genuinely life-changing for many park home residents across Lancashire.

Choosing a Specialist Installer

Park home insulation requires specialist knowledge. The materials, methods and building regulations differ from standard house insulation. When choosing an installer:

• Check they are quality assurance scheme registered (required for grant-funded work)
• Ask specifically about their park home experience and ask for references from park home residents
• Ensure they carry appropriate insurance for working on park homes
• Get a written specification of exactly what work will be done, what materials will be used and what guarantees apply
• Check whether the insulation system has BBA (British Board of Agrement) certification for use on park homes

Do I need my site owner’s permission to insulate my park home?

In most cases, yes. Your site agreement may require you to notify the site owner before making external alterations. External wall insulation changes the appearance of your home, so you should inform the site manager and confirm there are no restrictions on the type of cladding or finish used. Most site owners are supportive of insulation improvements as they enhance the overall quality of the park.

Will park home insulation increase the value of my home?

Insulated park homes typically sell faster and at a modest premium compared to uninsulated ones. Buyers increasingly ask about energy costs, and a warm, well-insulated home with low running costs is more attractive than one with annual heating bills of £2,000+. The improved EPC rating also demonstrates the home’s efficiency to potential buyers.

Can I insulate my park home myself?

Basic draught-proofing around doors and windows is a straightforward DIY job. However, external wall insulation, underfloor work and roof insulation should be done by specialists. Incorrect installation can trap moisture, cause structural issues and void any warranty. Grant funding also requires the work to be done by approved, qualified installers.