An interesting question this, which someone asked me the other day. The simple answer is there is no simple answer. The question is a bit like How long is a piece of string?
So how can we begin to answer this question? Start with age of property. building regulations have consistently increased the requirements for thermal efficiency of walls through the latter part of 20th century, so the newer your house, the more efficient it will already be, so the less impact retro fit cavity insulation will have. If you install cavity wall insulation into a 1930's house, it may still not be efficient as a new house, built in the last few years.
Also consider whether there are other measures that might have a similar effect - particularly if the goal is to reduce heating costs. Replacing an old boiler could be comparable in cost to having retro fit insulation installed, but is likely to have at least as much if not more impact. Loft insulation (or upgrading thereof) is likely to be considerably cheaper and will also have a very positive impact. So look at wall insulation in the context of ALL possible measures, not in isolation.
Finally, consider if the installation of cavity insulation will adversly affect the fabric of the building - in most cases this means condensation. Particularly in older properties the gap in the cavity is designed to trap and remove water that has permeated the outer layer. when cavity insulation is installed this reduces the ability of the building to do this, which can lead to some issues. Any reputable installer should consider site / exposure and such like to ensure this is not a significant factor before sanctioning the installation.
So there you have it - how long is a piece of string - cavity wall insulation can work as part of an overall energy improvement plan, but should only be considered when taking with professional advice from a reputable supplier - not one for the DIY enthusiast I would suggest.
If you want advice on energy efficiency in your home Surrey Energy Consultants can help, please get in touch.
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Here's a good tip I received from my plumber the other day, if you're planning to upgrade your loft insulation.
ReplyDeleteBe careful to leave a thinner layer of loft insulation directly under your cold water storage tank. This allows some heat to escape and reduces the risk of your tank freezing and causing water damage. This is important because lofts are becoming colder as people improve their insulation and reduce heat loss from the house.