Home Insulation Guide
Insulating your home is one of the most cost-effective ways to stay warm,
reduce your household carbon footprint and cut your energy bills.
There are some simple but effective insulation solutions that can improve most homes.
Most solutions are quick and easy to install and can save you money on your energy
bills. They may even improve your home’s energy efficiency rating. Furthermore,
substantial grants are currently available towards the cost.
Cavity Wall Insulation
This is a fast, effective way to prevent heat loss form your home and save
money on your energy bills.
Insulation material is injected into the gap (cavity), between the inner and
outer walls of the house. This prevents heat loss hence reducing the amount
of heating required to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Most homes built after 1930 have a cavity. Many built before that do not
have a cavity and will require a different type of insulation. The cavity
must be more than 50mm for the insulation to be effective. Your surveyor
will advise you whether your home is suitable for cavity wall insulation.
The average, un-insulated house may be losing as much as 35% of its wasted
heat through the external walls.
Cavity Wall Insulation takes only a few hours to install in the average house.
Installation requires specialist machinery and must be carried out by a fully
trained and approved installer. Look for a professional installer approved by the
British Board of Agrément (BBA)
The installer works from the outside of the house and drills a series of small
holes in the mortar of the brickwork. The insulation material is blown in
through these holes using a high powered blowing machine. Once the entire
cavity is filled, the holes are sealed with matching mortar.
InstaFibre installers use only InstaFibre
insulation materials which are manufactured to the highest standards
and rigorously tested to ensure they provide the correct thermal values as
well as protecting against dampness. All our materials are approved by the BBA.
Under the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Scheme (CIGA) our cavity wall insulation is
guaranteed for 25 years. Once the insulation is installed your guarantee will be
registered and a certificate will be sent to you. The guarantee applies to the
property so can be passed on to subsequent owners. You should retain your
certificate and hand it to the new owner at the time of sale.
Grants are currently available to help with the cost of Cavity Wall Insulation.
To arrange a FREE, no-obligation survey
click here
Loft Insulation
This is one of the simplest types of home insulation and can lead to a significant
reduction in heat loss.
A blanket of mineral fibre wool (made from recycled glass) is laid between and
over the joists in the loft. This prevents rising heat from escaping through
the roof. Without loft insulation, as much as 26% of wasted heat could be
escaping through your roof.
Current standards recommend a depth of at least 250mm – about 10 inches – of
insulation to achieve best results.
InstaFibre installers use only InstaFibre
loft quilt which is manufactured
to the highest standards and rigorously tested to ensure they provide the
correct thermal values as well as protecting against dampness. All our
materials are approved by the BBA.
It takes about two hours for a trained insulation installer to lay loft
insulation in the average house. To ensure maximum effectiveness, the work
is best done by a trained professional.
Grants are currently available to help with the cost of Loft Insulation.
To arrange a FREE, no-obligation survey
click here
Park Homes
InstaGroup has recently developed an excellent insulation solution for Park
Homes. This is a cost effective answer to the problems of heat loss
experienced by park home owners.
A slim, breathable, layered insulation system is fitted to the outside of
your home. Not only does it provide excellent insulation, it can also improve
the appearance and durability of your home. It will help keep the home warmer
in Winter and cooler in Summer.
The key element is an advanced insulation material known as Aerogel.
Originally created as an experiment in the 1930s, its remarkable properties
were spotted by NASA and developed as an insulation material for the Space
Shuttle. We have now developed a way of using the thermal properties of this
unique material to provide an excellent energy efficiency solution for park
homes.
The insulation must be fitted by trained technicians and will take 3 to 5
days to install on the average park home.
Tests have shown that InstaTherm can reduce heat loss form park homes by
up to 50%.
Some local authorities are offering grants towards the cost of this type of
insulation. You should check with your local council.
To arrange a FREE, no-obligation survey
click here
Choosing an Installer
To choose a reputable installer who will provide a professional and reliable
service, ensure that the company you choose is a member of the National Insulation
Association (NIA). You should also check that the products offered are approved by the
British Board of Agrément (BBA)
Check that your cavity wall insulation is covered by the
Cavity Insulation Guarantee Scheme (CIGA). This will ensure that you receive a
25year guarantee. Once your installation is complete, it will be registered
under the scheme and a certificate of guarantee will be sent to you.
Grants
As part of an ongoing government initiative, grants are available to help
with the cost of loft and cavity wall insulation. Homeowners and private
tenants are entitled to a grant of around 50% of the cost provided their
property is suitable.
Households with at least one resident over 70 or on qualifying benefits may be
entitled to free home insulation.
To arrange a FREE, no-obligation survey and claim your grant click here or call
the 'Snug as a Bug' helpline on 0845 602 4696 and quote 'website'.
Local Authority and Housing Association tenants should consult their landlords
about obtaining help to have their homes insulated.