Citizens Advice published a report on 17 June 2025 on the mis-selling of spray foam insulation, describing what it calls a growing consumer crisis in that market1. The report, titled A Foamidable Challenge: Tackling the impact of the mis-selling of spray foam insulation, sets out findings from the charity's consumer service and calls for urgent reforms1.
The report states that the number of complaints its consumer service has seen has more than doubled in the last year, and that one in three people with spray foam insulation in their loft report having experienced problems1. Issues identified include damp, timber damage and ventilation failures1. Affected homeowners face costs in excess of £50,000 for removal or roof repairs, and some are unable to sell or remortgage their homes as lenders become increasingly wary, according to the report1. Many cases involve cold calling, mis-selling and rogue traders, it adds1.
"As the UK ramps up efforts to improve home energy efficiency, this report highlights a growing consumer crisis in the spray foam insulation market."
The charity says current protections are failing to prevent harm and sets out four reforms: a mandatory quality scheme for all low-carbon home upgrades, a single Ombudsman to provide redress, stronger legal enforcement powers, and better access to free, independent advice1. The report does not set out a timetable for any of these measures, and no government response to the report has been reported1.
| Finding | Figure |
|---|---|
| Change in complaints to the Citizens Advice consumer service over the last year | More than doubled |
| People with spray foam in their loft reporting problems | 1 in 3 |
| Costs faced by affected homeowners for removal or roof repairs | In excess of £50,000 |
Why it matters for households
Spray foam is sold as a way to cut heat loss, but the report links it to damp, timber damage and ventilation failures in lofts, and to bills running past £50,000 where removal or roof repairs are needed1. Those are costs that can outweigh any saving on heating, and the report says some owners cannot sell or remortgage because lenders are wary of the material1. For a household weighing up insulation and energy independence, the report's account of spray foam insulation risks, mortgages and removal is a reminder that the wrong product in a roof can reduce a home's options rather than widen them. The report also points to cold calling and mis-selling as a common route into these contracts, and to doorstep sales and pressure selling more broadly1. Households seeking free, independent advice on an energy product can approach Citizens Advice and other energy consumer bodies1.
What happens next
The report calls for a mandatory quality scheme covering all low-carbon home upgrades, a single Ombudsman for redress, stronger legal enforcement powers and better access to free, independent advice1. No dates, consultation or implementation timetable for these proposals appear in the report, and no response from government or from industry bodies has been reported1.