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Brits are haemorrhaging millions of pounds and potentially putting their lives at risk as a shocking 55 per cent of homes are reportedly insulated to standards that are almost half a century old. Insulation specialist, Dave Raval, has shed light on the fact that over 13 million residences only meet insulation criteria set in 1976 or earlier.
Industry experts warn that these properties are leaking heat due to subpar wall cavity insulation, absence of double glazing, inadequate loft insulation, and poor floor insulation – all elements that today’s regulations insist upon. Consequently, homeowners could be shelling out up to an extra £380 annually on energy bills.
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Experts have highlighted common errors they’ve noticed in homes where Brits have attempted DIY insulation without the necessary expertise.
They stress that this can not only affect the temperature and environment of a home but could also pose health and safety risks to those who live there. Covering electrical cables can lead to overheating, while blocking ventilation can result in moisture accumulation and mould problems.
In a survey of 2,000 homeowners is was revealed that two thirds of those who installed loft insulation themselves made some of these mistakes, with four in ten ‘completely unaware’ of their mistakes.
Experts also added that any homeowners who are placing items on top of their insulation are could be reducing its effectiveness by 50 per cent, as it eliminating the air pockets that trap heat, leading to more heat escaping through the loft and roof, and as a result reduces the energy efficiency of the home.
Dave Raval, CEO of LoftZone, the company behind the research, commented: “Many homeowners don’t realise that their DIY attempts could actually be making their homes less energy efficient, more dangerous, and more expensive to run. The right insulation, installed correctly, can make a massive difference, not just to comfort and cost, but to safety as well.”
Despite 97 per cent acknowledging the advantages of insulation, nearly half have still detected persistent draughts and cold spots in their insulated homes and four in ten confessed they were unsure whether their loft was adequately insulated.
Dave Raval commented: “There are a number of methods for homeowners to avoid these costly and potentially dangerous pitfalls, which are simpler than you think.”
Here are his top tips:
Mind the gaps:
On a chilly evening, light a candle and hold it near a window – if the flame flickers, that’s your hard-earned heating escaping through the gaps.
Draught excluders such as self-adhesive foam strips are a quick and affordable fix available at any DIY shop and can be installed in mere minutes.
Boost your insulation
Insulation is your best friend when it comes to preventing heat loss through walls and roofs – topping up your loft insulation to meet government guidelines could save you hundreds on heating bills each year.
Check your walls
Homes built before the 1990s may lack insulation – cavity wall insulation suits post-1920 homes, while solid wall insulation works best for older ones. A quick fix? Heavy curtains help block draughts and add extra warmth near windows.
Feel the floors
To stop chilly drafts creeping up through your floors, insulate them with fiberglass, sprayed foam, or foam board – but ensure your insulation is vapour-permeable so you don’t risk rotting the wood.
Throw down some rugs or carpets or, for an even toastier feel, under-floor heating is a game-changer – and don’t forget to seal those sneaky gaps around skirting boards and floor edges with caulk or foam to trap the heat inside.
Pipework
It’s not just the pipes themselves that matter, but the air around them plays a big role in heat loss too. Sealing gaps around pipes where they enter walls or floors stops cold draughts sneaking in and keeps the warm air trapped inside.
