5 Vital Home Insulation Tips for Maximum Energy Efficiency
Energy is expensive in the UK – and it’s only getting more expensive, too. Couple this unprecedentedly growing dent in household finances with the undeniable impacts of climate change on communities around the world, and you have a multilateral reason to start thinking a bit more deeply about the energy usage of your home.
There are many active ways to go about improving your home’s energy efficiency, including replacing your boiler with modern, eco-friendly alternatives. However, these alternatives are not the most viable for most families, often being quite expensive to install despite government grants and incentives. Luckily, insulation – a passive method for retaining heat in the home – is highly efficient and highly accessible. What follows are five key areas where insulation could benefit you and your home significantly.
Loft and Roof Insulation
First, let’s address loft and roof insulation. According to the Energy Saving Trust, roughly a quarter of the average home’s heat is lost through the roof in uninsulated homes. Heated air rises on account of its lower density compared to cold air – this, coupled with convection through uninsulated surfaces, leads to heat flowing upwards and outwards. Loft insulation usually comprises mineral wool, which is packed between rafters and joists to create a double barrier for heat retention.
Wall Insulation
Wall insulation is the most impactful change you can make with respect to home insulation, albeit the most work-intensive too. Newer homes in the UK are typically constructed with cavity walls, meaning two leaves of brickwork are built with an air gap between; this can be filled with cavity wall insulation to improve the insulative qualities of the wall. Older homes, though, can be constructed with solid walls – meaning no cavity to insulate. These can be skinned on the exterior with an insulation-packed stud wall, which is then rendered over for a cladded finish.
Windows and Doors
Your windows and doors are your weak points for the egress of heat in the home. The vast majority of windows in the UK are now double-glazed, which works in a similar sense to insulated cavity walls; older homes may still have plate glass, the upgrading of which can make for serious benefits. Most exterior doors are already well-insulated, but again if your home is older you may need to upgrade – particularly when it comes to your garage, as insulated garage doors can make a major impact in reducing heat loss through your utility space.
Floor Insulation
Older homes with suspended timber floors present a major energy efficiency problem, prone as they are to introducing draughts. There are various ways to insulate your floor, including the installation of fibreglass board between joists – but for a quick fix, you can install rubber foam tape between your floorboards to minimise draughts.
Pipes and Hot Water Cylinder Insulation
Finally, insulating any exposed pipes coming from your boiler and radiators can help retain heat, reducing energy waste and lowering your heating bills. Pipe insulation is particularly important in colder areas like lofts, garages, and external walls, in order to prevent freezing during the winter months.
