A guide to roof and loft insulation for a warmer home
Fitting insulation in your roof and loft is a very easy and cost-effective way to increase your energy efficiency and it can also offer considerable annual savings on your energy bills.
The average British home is poorly insulated and not very energy efficient
The number of households set to find themselves in fuel poverty is expected to surpass six million in April and could reach 8.5 million by the end of 2022 when the price cap is raised again, and bills could reach over £3,500.
We need to tackle energy loss from millions of properties. There’s no point pumping warmth into homes only for it to disappear through broken windows, paper-thin walls, and roofs.
The annual energy bill increase represents 6% of a wealthier household’s income compared to 12% for a low-income household.
Upgrading the 15.3 million least efficient homes to energy performance certificate (EPC) band C, could save households £511 per year and cut gas use by 20%.
Roof and loft insulation can reduce annual heating bills, and heat loss, and cut carbon footprint. Some types can be installed as a DIY project, and with 25% of all heat loss happening through the roof of a home, it’s one of the best steps you can take to achieve year-round comfort.
What are the benefits of insulation and why is it important?
The loft is one of the areas of the home that experiences the largest amount of heat loss, as we stated earlier a whopping 25% of all heat escapes through the roof of the home! So, installing insulation on your roof or adding more insulation, it’s a very impactful way to prevent heat from escaping from your roof, keeping your home warm during colder weather.
– Long lifespan
Insulation has a very long lifespan (up to 40 years) and helps to save money on your energy bills – you can easily recoup the initial costs of installing insulation and save in the form of vastly reduced annual energy bills year on year, which could be as much as £250 a year!
– Reduce carbon footprint
It’s also worth mentioning the environmental benefits, did you know that good loft insulation can help reduce a home’s carbon footprint and help tackle climate change? Reduced heat loss will mean your heating system won’t have to run for as long, and your home will be able to retain heat for much longer, which reduces the amount of fossil fuels needed to keep your house warm. For example, a detached home could save just over 1 tonne of carbon dioxide a year which is the equivalent of charging up your phone 130,000 times.
What does roof and loft insulation cost?
Roof and loft insulation are one of the most affordable types of insulation for the home. Depending on the type of loft or roof insulation, you can do it yourself as a DIY project.
The size of the home and loft space to be insulated will determine how much it costs. For an installation of 0–270mm mineral wool loft insulation you can expect to pay this depending on the type of home:
Detached: £395
Semi-detached: £300
Mid-terrace: £285
Detached bungalow: £375
Easily earn back your install costs
For a typical detached home in the UK, the average cost to insulate the roof is around £395, which may seem steep, but the annual energy savings on your energy bills can be up to as much as £250 a year, meaning you can earn back the installation costs in less than two years and you can carry on making savings, year on year!
Top tip – if you have access to your home’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), then it is worth looking at this for any insulation recommendations, which may single out the roof and loft.
Carbon footprint savings
With your home retaining more heat the amount of carbon emissions produced by your heating system are reduced as they don’t need to work as hard to heat your home to achieve a comfortable temperature.
Here’s an example of the carbon emissions you can save:
Detached: 1 tonne (CO2/year)
Semi-detached: 610kg (CO2/year)
Mid-terrace: 550kg (CO2/year)
Detached: 860kg (CO2/year)
What other ways can you insulate your home?
Solid wall insulation
If you’ve got solid walls in your home, they can also be insulated. Did you know that solid walls contribute to 45% of your home’s overall heat loss? Insulating your walls is an amazing way to reduce heat loss and typical energy savings can be up to as much as £375 for a detached home, so it’s worth investing in.
Cavity wall insulation
If your home was built after 1920, it’s very likely that you will have cavity walls in your house. Cavity walls has an inner and outer wall, with a small space in the middle which is known as the cavity. This can be filled with insulation to help reduce heat loss which can result in savings of up to £305 a year on your annual energy bill.
Draught proofing
Draught proofing is a very affordable option to reduce heat loss and increase the comfort in your home. You can reduce draughts by sealing skirting boards and gaps in windows and doors. Savings of around £20 a year can be generated from draught proofing in the home.
About Thermatic Homes
Thermatic Homes is a national M&E contractor based in Greater Manchester that provides a one-stop solution for housing associations, from mechanical and electrical services to renewable energy installations, building works and training.
