Energy bills continue to be a hot topic for the UK as many people are faced with a tough winter ahead, but what can you do to prepare?
The current cost of living crisis has been exacerbated by the rising cost in energy prices, so the spotlight is on what we can do to help control and reduce our gas and electric bills. The Energy Savings Trust has issued Quick Tips to Save Energy that include turning off lights when not in use, draught proofing doors and windows, and spending less time in the shower.
One way to more permanently reduce your energy costs and retain the heat in your home is through the correct insulation of your walls, roof, ceilings and floors. Did you know that a well insulated home can help to retain up to 80% of its heat?
With the rising cost of energy (even with the Energy Price Guarantee), the best way to reduce costs in your home is to address your energy usage. Improved insulation can cut your energy usage and reduce your carbon footprint significantly.
The Energy Saving Trust estimates that you can save up to:
These figures are of course dependent on the size of your home and your current insulation. It is estimated that up to 25% of the heat from your home is lost through the roof and loft, so insulation can play a key role in reducing your bills.
A good quality loft insulation can last up to 40 years, so once it has been installed, you will see benefits for decades to come. Insulating your loft provides a thermal barrier to stop heat from disappearing through your roof. You can expect to see a 25% reduction in heat loss through insulation, but you will also notice that it helps to maintain a cooler temperature during the summer months.
The most common type to use in your loft is mineral wool insulation. It comes in a roll format, so it is easy to install by simply rolling out and creating a thermal barrier. It’s important not to squash your insulation as this can reduce its thermal performance by over 50%.
We offer a range of mineral wool insulation products depending on the thickness you require. See the full range of loft mineral wool insulation here.
A third of all heat in uninsulated homes is lost through the walls. Fortunately, most houses built after 1990 have insulation, however if your home was built before this then it is highly likely that you do not have any, or enough wall insulation.
Most homes that were built between 1920 and 1990 have a gap between the internal and external walls – a cavity. Cavity wall insulation works by filling the space with insulating material such as mineral wool or foam. This ensures that cold air is kept out of your home and less heat is lost through the walls.
It’s important to know that cavity wall insulation must be installed by a registered installer and they must be signed up to a code of professional practice. This way you can ensure that the installation is guaranteed for 25 years by CIGA, or through an independent insurance-backed guarantee.
If you’re looking for wall insulation boards, you can view our range here.
Around 10% of heat is lost through the floor of an uninsulated home. This depends on the type of flooring that you have and it is usually only necessary to insulate the ground floor of your home. Correctly insulating your floor can save you up to £180 per year (The Energy Saving Trust).
Applying wool or foam insulation beneath the floorboards of your home can decrease the amount of escaped heat through your floor. We also recommend thick carpets to minimise heat loss and keep your home as cosy as possible throughout the colder months.
Take a look at our flooring insulation options here.
As we head into the colder months there are a number of steps you can take to keep the heat in and your energy usage down:
Are you ready to improve your home insulation? Let us know your requirements and we can recommend the best products for your budget.
Watch out for our next blog to see how you can benefit from government funding.
