Living in the UK comes with its share of pros and cons. The weather is one of the longstanding jokes of this little isle with rain and cold weather never far away. Your home is one of the best places to get away from the drudgery providing you with warmth and shelter. However, without proper loft insulation staying warm and dry can be a tall order. Whether in a new build or updating an old home, loft insulation should be at the top of your list. Here’s why:
The Benefits of Loft Insulation
Lower heating bills
You can prevent losing up to 50% of the heat generated in your home from disappearing through the roof. This will have a huge effect on your electricity bill allowing you to save more money for holidays, food shopping, and anything else that requires a big chunk of change.
How much could I save by insulating my loft?
Percentages are all good and well but they can be difficult to understand in real-world terms. According to OVO Energy, installing 270mm of loft insulation is reported to give you an annual saving of:
- £240 – Detached home
- £140 – Semi-detached home
- £135 – Mid terrace home
- £200 – Bungalow
These numbers speak for themselves with a detached home offering an extra £20 per month, just from insulation. This can be put toward fuel or groceries, or even put into a savings account for rainy days.
Insulation savings can vary so use these figures as guidelines. Depending on the thickness of your insulation, your windows, doors and other factors you will find your saving unique to your home. An effective way to see how much your saving is to compare your energy use before insulation and after. Make sure to compare months that are in similar seasons as Winter is bound to be more expensive than Summer. Speaking of Summer, insulation works just as well in Summer, keeping the cool in and the heat out. This little-known fact means that your home is comfortable, come rain or shine.
Reducing your home’s carbon footprint
Loft insulation is great for the environment. Using less electricity means streamlining your overall consumption and takes the strain off the national power grid. This helps the UK produce fewer emissions and in turn reduces your carbon footprint.
The production of loft insulation is also sustainable with the most commonly used materials for this type of insulation being cellulose, fibreglass and mineral rock wool. All of which are produced from recycled materials.
Improving energy efficiency ratings and house prices
An energy efficiency certificate is part and parcel of every home. These grades run from G (1-20) to A (92-100) with 100 being the most energy-efficient. When buying, selling or renting a property showing off a good EPC can add thousands of pounds to your house value. Increasing a home’s efficiency from G to A can increase the property value by a staggering 14%. A Money Supermarket survey found that an increase from D to A in Lichfield saw house values grow by an incredible £24,000!
Loft insulation is one of the key areas for improving energy efficiency. By investing in this easy-to-install material you can make your home life better and increase the overall value of your home.
DIY or Hire a Professional?
Installing loft insulation can be done through a professional or as a DIY project. Insulation is sold in rolls which can be cut to fit the distance between rafters. Professionals can work with a variety of homes and lofts. If you live in a listed home, home with a flat roof, home with damp or condensation, or home with difficult roof access please consider a professional as they have the equipment and expertise to safely complete the job.
DIY projects are best suited to homes with easily accessible roof space, no damp or condensation, regularly spaced joists and a pitched roof. If your loft matches all these criteria then you can save a bit and do the insulation as a DIY project.
Tips for installing loft insulation
- Make sure you have protective gear throughout the project.
- Clear away any boxes that may get in the way.
- If you have a boiler in the loft, set it to lag to prevent it from freezing.
- Check for any electrical wiring and ensure it remains above the insulation material. Consult an electrician if this is not possible or if it looks unsafe.
- Measure the area you want to cover. You’ll want to check the depth of your rafters as well as the width.
- Fit the insulation snugly. Avoid gaps as this will compromise its ability to insulate your home.
- Use scissors to keep the edges neat and tidy. Tearing may compromise the material.
- Once you have a base layer down, roll the second layer at 90 degrees to the first. This criss-cross pattern will ensure all gaps are filled.
- If you want to use the loft space after insulation, add rigid insulation boards, floorboards and other materials that can hold weight.
Loft insulation is a must for the modern home. This project is quick and easy, offers incredible savings on energy and carbon footprints and can even add to the value of your home. At JTD, we stock a wide range of leading roof insulation materials perfect for all types of homes. Contact us today to find out how we can help you insulate your home.
