A study of 2,000 homeowners has found out more than 13 million homes in the UK only meet insulation standards of 1976 or earlier – and it’s costing Brits a fortune
Households are potentially losing hundreds of pounds a year – and even putting their lives at risk – as experts warn that 55% of homes have insulation based on standards nearly half a century old. Insulation specialist, Dave Raval, has pointed out that over 13 million homes only meet insulation standards from 1976 or earlier.
Experts warn that such homes are losing heat due to inadequate wall cavity insulation, lack of double glazing, insufficient loft insulation, and poor floor insulation – all elements that today’s modern regulations mandate. Consequently, these homeowners could be shelling out up to £380 annually in extra energy costs.
Experts have also shed light on the recurring blunders they’ve noticed in properties where Brits have attempted DIY insulation without proper know-how. These include using cardboard boxes as insulation, covering electrical cables or wires, and obstructing ventilation. In addition to affecting the home’s temperature and environment, these mistakes could also pose health and safety hazards for the occupants.
In a survey of 2,000 homeowners, 69% of those who have installed loft insulation themselves have committed some of these errors, with 41% ‘completely unaware’ they were doing anything wrong. However, errors such as covering electrical cables can lead to overheating risks, and blocking ventilation can result in moisture accumulation and mould problems.
In addition, a significant number of homeowners are accidentally reducing the effectiveness of their insulation by up to 50% by storing items on top of it. This is due to the compression of the insulation, which eliminates the air pockets that retain heat, leading to increased heat loss through the loft and roof, thereby reducing 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 a whopping 97% recognising the perks of their home being well insulated, almost half still experience draughts and cold patches throughout their home. Interestingly, the study revealed that six out of ten respondents confessed their understanding of this topic was ‘average’, ‘poor’, or ‘very poor’.
Almost four in ten (39%) of those surveyed, via OnePoll.com, confessed they were unsure whether their loft was adequately insulated and 14% of homeowners have admitted to ripping out old insulation without checking for hazards like asbestos, pesky mould, or even critters nestled in the nooks and crannies.
Dave added: “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.