Insulate your Solid Walls to Make your Property Energy-Efficient
As the cost of living continues to rise and energy bills are going through the roof, more and more people are looking for ways to cut their energy use in every room of their homes. Even though the government has introduced the Energy Bills Support Scheme, the new rates are still higher than they've ever been in the past.
Luckily, there are some solutions to make your home energy-efficient, warm and cosy, reducing your energy consumption and, in turn, your energy bills.
Read on if you've been looking for effective ways to reduce energy usage.
What is Home Insulation?
Insulation is a crucial process of trapping heat inside a property. There are two main types of home insulation: internal and external. Internal wall insulation is the process of adding a layer of insulation to the interior face of outer walls.
External home insulation usually works by covering areas exposed to the outside, like roofs, floors and walls, with different types of high-performing insulation products available, ranging from fibreglass wool through EPS boards to spray foam or cork. This stops heat from escaping, making the property more energy efficient and comfortable.
Why do we need Energy-Saving Home Insulation?
Properties lose heat continuously due to heat loss. Heat can escape through various places, some obvious and some not noticeable. The roof, walls, windows, doors, and foundation are all potential places for heat to escape. Heat can also be lost through gaps and cracks in the house.
Taking measures to prevent heat loss can help keep a home warmer. The heat from a leaking house causes the boiler to work even harder to compensate for this loss. The boiler must add more fuel to compensate for that lost heat.
Without insulation, indoor temperatures can be challenging to maintain, and homes may lose up to 45 per cent of their heat, as established by the Energy Saving Trust.
A home's roof and walls are responsible for the vast majority of heat loss. In fact, around 58% of heat is lost through the roof and walls. This is why it's essential to ensure these areas are covered with energy-saving home insulation. Otherwise, you'll be wasting a lot of energy and money.
[Heat Loss Flow Chart]
Types of Energy-Saving Home Insulation
Insulation plays a significant role in terms of maintaining heat in the home and decreasing the need for heating. A warmer, well-insulated home reduces the chance of humidity later and increases its value. Insulation also improves home ventilation in hot weather. Homeowners looking to insulate their homes have a few choices available. Below are the main insulation options.
Loft Insulation
As mentioned above, the vast majority of heat in an insulated home is lost through the roof. Insulating your roof, attic, or loft will considerably decrease heating and cooling costs.
Several types of loft insulation are on the market for homeowners- from blanket insulation through blown-fibre insulation and loose-fill insulation to sheet insulation. The insulation you opt for will depend on how you use the loft space and its limitations (i.e. shape).
Solid Wall Insulation
Externa
External wall insulation is a process where insulation material is applied to the exterior walls of a building and then covered with render or cladding to protect it from the elements. Property owners often choose external solid wall insulation if there is no option for cavity wall insulation.
Internal
Internal solid wall insulation is a process whereby insulation material is added to the interior walls of a building to improve the energy efficiency of the structure. There are various methods of internal wall insulation, including fitting rigid insulation boards to the wall or building a stud wall filled in with insulation material such as mineral wool fibre.
Cavity Wall Insulation
A cavity wall comprises two walls with a gap in between, known as the cavity; the outer leaf is usually constructed of brick and the inner layer of brick or concrete block. Heat loss can be reduced by filling the gaps between the external walls of a property with an insulating material.
In new-build homes, cavity wall insulation is often installed during construction. In older properties, however, it may be necessary to arrange for a specialist company to install the insulation.
The main advantages of Solid Wall Insulation
It eliminates draughts and increases the sense of comfort
It improves the external aesthetics of a property
It effectively reduces heat loss and energy bills
It improves the weatherproofing of a property
It allows walls to reduce the carbon footprint
It boosts the sound resistance of the walls
It increases the lifespan of the walls
Solid Wall Insulation - To Conclude
There are various ways to insulate solid walls to make your property energy-efficient. The right solution is usually determined by the makeup of your property and its location. As it appears, external solid wall insulation belongs to prevalent ones nowadays.
It effectively helps to cut down energy bills and makes properties more comfortable to live in as it reduces noise pollution from outside. If you live in an older coastal property, solid wall insulation will also help to prevent dampness and mould.