Further information on insulation

Cavity wall insulation - what's it all about?

If your home was built from 1920 onwards, the chances are that its external walls are made of two layers with a small gap or 'cavity' between them. This means they are 'cavity walls'.

Insulating your cavity walls means filling that gap - with very good reason.

• Why insulate your cavity walls?
• What could you save?
• Could cavity wall insulationn work for your home?
• How do I get cavity wall insulation?
• Where can you go for more advice?

Why insulate your cavity walls?

Cavity wall insulation is an effective way to save energy and money at home. A well insulated house keeps warmth exactly where you need it - indoors.

So, insulating your cavity walls will help you to heat your home more efficiently. Using less energy reduces carbon dioxide emissions (CO₂): one of the biggest causes of climate change. You will also save money on your bills too.

Cavity wall insulation can also help to reduce condensation inside the house if it is a problem on external walls.

Find out how cavity wall insulation works

What could you save?

Measure	Annual saving per year (£)	CO2 saving per year	Installed payback	Installed cost £
Cavity wall insulation	Around £160	Around £250	Around 2 years	Around 610kg

These are estimated figures based on insulating a gas-heated, semi-detached home with three bedrooms. The installed cost includes the subsidy available from the major energy suppliers under the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT); the typical unsubsidised installed cost is around £500.

Cavity wall insulation is so cost effective that it will pay for itself over and over again. The better insulated your home, the less energy you need to keep it warm - and the more money you'll save.

By insulating your cavity walls you could cut your heating costs and, by saving energy, your household will produce less CO₂. So, insulating your cavity walls is a great way to help fight climate change.

Loft insulation - what's it all about?

It's never been more important to think about insulating your loft. Without proper insulation a lot of the valuable, expensive energy you use to heat your home will be lost through the loft. The recommended depth for mineral wool insulation is 270mm however there are other materials which require different depths.

• Why insulate your loft?
• What could you save?
• Could loft insulationn work for your home?
• How do you insulate a loft?
• Where can you go for more advice?

Why insulate your loft?

Loft insulation is an effective way to save energy and money at home. A well insulated house keeps warmth exactly where you need it - indoors.

So, insulating your loft - or topping up any insulation you have already - will help to heat your home more efficiently. Using less energy reduces carbon dioxide emissions (CO₂): one of the biggest causes of climate change. You will also save money on your bills too.

How does loft insulation work?

What could you save?

	Loft insulation (0 - 270mm)	Loft insulation (50 - 270mm)
Annual saving per year (£)	Around £205	Around £45
Installed cost (£)	Around £250	Around £250
Installed payback	Around 2 years	Around 6 years
DIY cost	£250 - £350	£200 - £300
DIY payback	2 - 3 years	5 - 7 years
CO2 saving per year	Around 800kg	Around 230kg

These are estimated figures based on insulating a gas-heated, semi-detached home with three bedrooms.

Loft insulation is effective for at least 40 years, and it will pay for itself over and over again in that time. The better insulated your home, the less energy you need to keep it warm - the more money you'll save in the long run.

By saving energy, your household will produce less CO₂. So, adding or topping up your loft insulation is a great way to do your bit - and reduce your impact on the environment. Plus, to save money on a professional installation, you can even do it yourself.