Home Insulation
Heating a building is effortless, but it must be executed as economically as possible. Insulation is low cost and once fitted, doesn’t require maintenance. Spend under a thousand pounds on insulation and save money forever.
Heat Loss through walls
In an un-insulated home, one third of heat escapes through the walls. If your house does not have wall insulation, money is being wasted heating the outside air. A typical semi detached house could save up to £140 per year in heating bills by insulating the walls.
Heat Loss through Roof
In an un-insulated home, one quarter of all heat is lost through the roof. Present Building Control Regulations require 270mm (nearly a foot thickness) of wool type loft insulation. This is effective for at least 40 years, it will pay for itself continually over that time and it can save up to £150 per year.
Storage
In order to use the attic for storage, floorboards are required. Screw plastic spacers into the ceiling joists and attach chipboard floors on top to maintain the insulation thickness. These are available in DIY stores. Don’t flatten the wool, as this will reduce its effectiveness.
Renewables
If you wish to purchase renewables such as solar panels or wind turbines, ensure your home is insulated and your boiler is efficient before doing so. Insulation is cost effective and you can recoup your investment reasonably quickly. An insulated home requires less energy to heat; therefore less energy is required from renewables.
New Dwellings
When constructing a new dwelling, ensure that the insulation exceeds minimum requirements in order to optimize energy efficiency, whilst maintaining manufacturers and Building Control standards.
Natural insulation
Breathable materials such as woodfibre board for walls and sheep’s wool for roof are a healthier and natural alternative. They would also be a better option for old buildings with solid walls. These materials are more expensive than the man made product, but you recoup your outlay on insulation.
Build Tight and Ventilate Right
It is imperative that the building is adequately ventilated for health and well-being, utilizing trickle vents or mechanical means, and ensuring adequate roof space ventilation.
Barrier
Insulation acts as a barrier – the building will be warmer in winter, but it will also be cooler in summer.