LOFT INSULATION
FREE LOFT INSULATION
The good news is that loft insulation is an easy fix. And now, with free loft insulation available to so many of us, there's no reason why you can't cut your energy bills down to size.
We'll run through what you'll need to do to see if you qualify for free loft insulation in a bit. But first, let's just run through the basics.
How much money can loft insulation save?
Heat from your home can escape through the walls and through poorly fitting window seals, but, because heat rises, about a quarter of all heat gets lost through the roof. So it's a no brainer - insulate your attic and you'll cut a quarter off your heating bill, just like that.
If you're looking for numbers, estimates from the Energy Savings Trust indicate that an average detached house in the UK can save around £250 per year.
Don't worry - loft insulation materials are more efficient than ever. So you can still use your attic space for storage if you want to. The loft insulation material will be packed above and in the spaces between the loft joists to create a heat bridge, effectively keeping a lot more of the heat in your home.
Loft insulation - best left to the professionals?
Of course, you can insulate your loft yourself. But it's a fiddly job. You'll need to get the right depth of coverage (about 270mm) and ensure an optimal fit all around your loft space. You'll want to apply insulation around your loft hatch too. So, if you're eligible for a loft insulation grant, then you don't even need to consider the DIY route. Get the professionals in and get it sorted.
They'll choose the right kind of loft insulation for the job - these days there are more options than ever, with granular beads, quilt insulation, and matting or blanket insulation (made from glass or rock fibre) among the most popular. Loose beads are preferred to fill in lofts with lots of awkward spaces, and can also be used to top existing insulation.
Free loft insulation comes with other big benefits too. If your cold water pipes and tanks need lagging, your loft insulation team will take care of that too. That's another important efficiency saving, and, even more importantly, it guards against the possibility of your tank or pipes bursting in the cold weather.
These days there are even environmentally friendly options for loose fill insulation, made from a wide range of recyclables, including newspaper, cork and even sheep's wool.
Free loft insulation comes with other big benefits too. If your cold water pipes and tanks need lagging, your loft insulation team will take care of that too. That's another important efficiency saving, and, even more importantly, it guards against the possibility of your tank or pipes bursting in the cold weather. At the end of the job, your home insulation will meet Building Regulations standard. That's good news for you now. But it's also another box ticked if you even consider selling your house.
The ongoing benefits of loft insulation
Loft insulation is a quick fix solution, but the benefits last and last. Effective loft insulation remains one of the most cost effective ways of keeping heat in, and heating bills down. And the benefits last forty years or more. Not bad for a freebie!
Everyone qualifies for a grant. To find out if what your grant is, you simply need to fill in this quick form. That's all there is to it. Then, we'll get back to you and let you know.
