In most UK houses built after the 1920s, the external walls are made of 2 layers with a small air gap or cavity in between them. If your home has unfilled cavity walls, a considerable slice of your energy bills will be spent heating the air outside. In fact it is estimated that around 35% of the heat from your home is lost through the walls.
Filling the gap between the 2 walls of a house with an insulating material massively decreases the amount of heat (and money) that is escaping through your walls. This could save you between £130 and £160 a year on your fuel bills for an average house, according to the UK's Energy Saving Trust, and pay back the cost of installation in under 2 years. It will also prevent around 1 tonne of CO2 emissions each year, so makes a significant contribution to fighting Climate Change. Plus having your cavity walls insulated will make your home more comfortable by evening out the temperature in your home, help reduce condensation, and also keep your home cooler in hot summer weather.
This is a job that is definitely best done by a professional, as it can be quite technically demanding and requires specialist equipment. However, despite paying a contractor, it can be done for little money. This is because the large UK gas and electricity companies heavily subsidise the cost of insulation through certain contractors, in order to reach their carbon reduction targets set by the government. Typically they pick up 30 to 70% of the bill, no matter what your income. The contractor will also take care of all the paperwork, so that you automatically get these subsidies. In addition, if you receive certain state benefits, the government will pick up the rest of the cost so you can get your home installed completely free. When you get a quote from a contractor, they will be able to tell you whether you qualify for these grants.
How is cavity wall insulation installed? The cavity wall is injected with insulating material by drilling small holes in the external wall through the mortar joints. The holes are generally around 2cm wide and are made good after the injection by the installer. The material injected is normally 'mineral wool' (fibres made from rock or glass), polystyrene beads or white foam. All materials have a similar insulation performance. The insulation normally takes about 2 hours to install, but the time does depend on the size of the house and other factors such as access.
How do you know if your house has cavity walls? Most houses built after the 1920's have been built with cavity walls. An easy way to check is to look at the brickwork in your outside walls. If all the bricks are laid the same way, with just their sides showing (rather than their ends), then you have cavity walls. But you don't need to make sure of this yourself. All good insulation contractors will offer you a free no-obligation insulation survey, when they can check for your and let you know what is possible.
All reputable cavity wall insulating contractors in the UK are members of the Cavity Wall Insulation Agency (CIGA) guarantee scheme. This scheme gives you a 25 year guarantee on your cavity wall insulation, so that you can be completely confident in the quality of the work. Plus you will be able to pass this guarantee on to any future purchaser of your house, which will help contribute to your house's value.
If you are interested in installing cavity wall insulation, you should contact a reputable contractor to request a free no-obligation survey. You can do this through the site mentioned at the bottom of this article (go to the page about insulation), or else several contractors advertise on the Internet (if you type in 'cavity wall insulation' into Google).
Alex Perry is a founder of http://www.DownwithCO2.co.uk, which helps people cut their personal contribution to climate change through providing information and contacts.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Perry
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
Monday, 19 October 2009
Save Energy And Money This Winter - Double Glazing And Insulation
With the price of gas and electricity on a seemingly endless series of climbs, now is a good time to take a look around your home and see where you can make some energy savings.
Over 20% of the heat lost from your home goes straight out of the roof, so it’s important that you have the attic properly insulated. Even if your attic was insulated when the house was built or any time before the last couple of years, it may not have the right amount of insulation.
Recent government recommendations have almost doubled the suggested amount of insulation, and a minimum thickness of 200-250 mm (8 - 10 inches) is now suggested in temperate areas.
If you do need to top up your attic insulation, it’s easy to do it yourself in a few hours if you are reasonably good at DIY. You don’t need any special tools or skills and it can be much cheaper than paying someone else to do it – as long as you don’t put your foot through the ceiling!
But check before you start as grants may be available to help with part or all of the cost of insulation, especially for the elderly or those on a low income or benefit. If you do decide on the DIY route, remember that some types of insulation are irritants so wear suitable clothing, including gloves, goggles and a facemask when you are laying the insulating material.
Make sure you carefully follow the instructions that come with the insulation, and in particular ensure that you don’t block ventilators or air inlets. Leave a gap around the eaves as well to prevent condensation.
Don’t cover electrical cables and keep insulation away from items such as recessed light fittings that may require airflow to prevent overheating – check if you’re not sure.
The attic will be a lot colder once it’s insulated so make sure that pipes are lagged and water tanks are insulated. Don’t insulate under tanks though – leaving a clear area underneath will allow heat from below to rise and help stop them freezing. Finally don’t forget to insulate and draft proof the access hatch.
Now that the attic is snug, it’s time to look at some of the other areas that you can work on to cut down on the heating bills.
Double glazing your windows is most effective at retaining heat, but if you don’t want to replace your old sash windows just yet, you can save energy by stopping drafts. Seal or caulk any gaps around the frame using a sealant gun and cartridge – your local DIY or hardware store should be able to advise you on the best type for your needs. But whatever sealant you use, first ensure that all the surfaces are clean and dry and that there is no loose or flaking paint which could prevent the sealant adhering.
Fit weather strips to opening windows and doors - these come in many shapes and sizes ranging from cheap and easy to fit self-adhesive foam rubber strips to more expensive but durable plastic or metal weather stripping. Prevent drafts under doors by installing an adjustable threshold or brush type strip at the bottom of the door.
Once the frames are weatherproofed, you can look at reducing heat loss through the window glass itself. The cheapest way of doing this is to use a clear film plastic sheeting which is stuck to the window frame with tape and then warmed with a hairdryer. This causes the plastic film to shrink and tighten removing wrinkles and creases. This type of secondary glazing - while low priced - has to be renewed if you need to access the window, and so is unsuitable for windows which you want to open before spring!
More expensive are secondary glazing panels. These are made from rigid clear plastic and can either be fixed to the wooden frame with magnetic tape, or plastic channel which can be left in place. In both these cases, the panels can usually be removed for ventilation and cleaning.
Don’t forget that when you’re draft proofing your home that it’s vital to ensure that you have adequate ventilation in rooms where there is a heater, fire, boiler or any other appliance that needs air for combustion and make sure you never block up air bricks or vents.
Now that you’ve reduced the amount of energy that it takes to keep your home warm, you can turn down the heating. Even a small 1 or 2 degree C reduction on your thermostat can reduce your heating bill significantly. If you can also set your heating to fire up a little later and switch off a little earlier, you’ll find that even a difference of a few minutes a day can add up to a big saving over a year.
There’s only space here to give you a couple of ideas but there is a wealth of further information available both on and off-line on how you can economise on energy use.
Once you start to think about saving energy, you’ll be surprised how it soon becomes second nature and before you know it, you’ll have a greener and more energy efficient home with big benefits for your wallet and the planet.
Russ Grimble helps to run http://www.national-double-glazing.co.uk an online resource with hints and tips on saving energy, insulating your home and useful information on choosing Double glazing or replacement windows.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Russ_Grimble
Over 20% of the heat lost from your home goes straight out of the roof, so it’s important that you have the attic properly insulated. Even if your attic was insulated when the house was built or any time before the last couple of years, it may not have the right amount of insulation.
Recent government recommendations have almost doubled the suggested amount of insulation, and a minimum thickness of 200-250 mm (8 - 10 inches) is now suggested in temperate areas.
If you do need to top up your attic insulation, it’s easy to do it yourself in a few hours if you are reasonably good at DIY. You don’t need any special tools or skills and it can be much cheaper than paying someone else to do it – as long as you don’t put your foot through the ceiling!
But check before you start as grants may be available to help with part or all of the cost of insulation, especially for the elderly or those on a low income or benefit. If you do decide on the DIY route, remember that some types of insulation are irritants so wear suitable clothing, including gloves, goggles and a facemask when you are laying the insulating material.
Make sure you carefully follow the instructions that come with the insulation, and in particular ensure that you don’t block ventilators or air inlets. Leave a gap around the eaves as well to prevent condensation.
Don’t cover electrical cables and keep insulation away from items such as recessed light fittings that may require airflow to prevent overheating – check if you’re not sure.
The attic will be a lot colder once it’s insulated so make sure that pipes are lagged and water tanks are insulated. Don’t insulate under tanks though – leaving a clear area underneath will allow heat from below to rise and help stop them freezing. Finally don’t forget to insulate and draft proof the access hatch.
Now that the attic is snug, it’s time to look at some of the other areas that you can work on to cut down on the heating bills.
Double glazing your windows is most effective at retaining heat, but if you don’t want to replace your old sash windows just yet, you can save energy by stopping drafts. Seal or caulk any gaps around the frame using a sealant gun and cartridge – your local DIY or hardware store should be able to advise you on the best type for your needs. But whatever sealant you use, first ensure that all the surfaces are clean and dry and that there is no loose or flaking paint which could prevent the sealant adhering.
Fit weather strips to opening windows and doors - these come in many shapes and sizes ranging from cheap and easy to fit self-adhesive foam rubber strips to more expensive but durable plastic or metal weather stripping. Prevent drafts under doors by installing an adjustable threshold or brush type strip at the bottom of the door.
Once the frames are weatherproofed, you can look at reducing heat loss through the window glass itself. The cheapest way of doing this is to use a clear film plastic sheeting which is stuck to the window frame with tape and then warmed with a hairdryer. This causes the plastic film to shrink and tighten removing wrinkles and creases. This type of secondary glazing - while low priced - has to be renewed if you need to access the window, and so is unsuitable for windows which you want to open before spring!
More expensive are secondary glazing panels. These are made from rigid clear plastic and can either be fixed to the wooden frame with magnetic tape, or plastic channel which can be left in place. In both these cases, the panels can usually be removed for ventilation and cleaning.
Don’t forget that when you’re draft proofing your home that it’s vital to ensure that you have adequate ventilation in rooms where there is a heater, fire, boiler or any other appliance that needs air for combustion and make sure you never block up air bricks or vents.
Now that you’ve reduced the amount of energy that it takes to keep your home warm, you can turn down the heating. Even a small 1 or 2 degree C reduction on your thermostat can reduce your heating bill significantly. If you can also set your heating to fire up a little later and switch off a little earlier, you’ll find that even a difference of a few minutes a day can add up to a big saving over a year.
There’s only space here to give you a couple of ideas but there is a wealth of further information available both on and off-line on how you can economise on energy use.
Once you start to think about saving energy, you’ll be surprised how it soon becomes second nature and before you know it, you’ll have a greener and more energy efficient home with big benefits for your wallet and the planet.
Russ Grimble helps to run http://www.national-double-glazing.co.uk an online resource with hints and tips on saving energy, insulating your home and useful information on choosing Double glazing or replacement windows.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Russ_Grimble
The Benefits Of Loft & Cavity Wall Insulation
Save money. Save Carbon.
Loft Insulation
Did you know that sufficient loft insulation can help save home owners between £180 - £220 on their annual energy bills?
Well it's true! Statistics show that homeowners with insufficient loft insulation could be losing as much as 15% of their fuel costs through their roof (Energy Savings trust - 2009).
The recommended depth for insulation in all new UK builds is currently 270mm. All homeowners with less than the recommended depth should consider topping up their loft and can do so either by contacting a professional installer or by doing so themselves.
In particular, homeowners of older properties (with less than 60mm) could be eligible to receive funding to help reduce the cost of topping up to the required 270mm depth. Some schemes are currently operating that enable those aged 70 or over and those on selected benefits and income support to receive loft insulation fitted for free.
By installing the recommended depth of loft insulation, potential savings on energy bills can go a long way towards paying for loft insulation to be fitted! It can stay effective for up to 40 years which means that it will not only pay for itself once, but over and over again resulting in a fantastic return on investment.
In addition to saving money, loft insulation can also be a great way to help reduce Carbon Emissions in the UK because using less energy helps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions (CO2): which is one of the biggest causes of climate change. With the effects of climate change becoming increasingly apparent, recognising ways to limit its effects have become a priority on the government's agenda.
Back in September 2008, Gordon Brown announced a £910 million package of measures aimed at driving a 'lasting change' in energy efficiency and consumption in the UK. An integral part of the initiative is to ensure all homes are sufficiently insulated by 2020 and will be fully funded through the UK's major energy suppliers. The government will carefully monitor energy providers to ensure that no costs are passed onto the consumer in the form of future price rises.
Cavity Wall Insulation
The walls of all homes built after 1920 are likely to be made up of two layers, with a gap in between. This gap means that these are 'Cavity Walls.'
The more ways home owners can make their homes more energy efficient, the greater the potential energy savings! 'Insulating cavity walls reduces heat loss and can save homeowners around £160 a year on your fuel bills' (Energy Savings trust - 2009). Like loft insulation, it's quick and easy to install. It also pays back relatively quickly due to the energy savings it can provide homeowners.
Making a house more marketable
Ultimately, improving the energy efficiency rating of a house through the use of Loft Insulation or Cavity Wall insulation can help to make the house more marketable. Since April 2009, Home Information Packs (HIP) are a compulsory document for most homes on the market within England and Wales. The HIP is a set of both compulsory and optional documents that provides the buyer with important information about the property they are interested in purchasing.
One of the compulsory documents contained within the HIP pack is an 'Energy Performance Certificate' (EPC) which gives a building an A to G rating. A is the most efficient - D is generally the average fro properties in the UK. The higher the rating, the more fuel efficient the property will be which will help to make the property more attractive to buyers.
Alison Murphy - Build Center offer a wide range of cavity wall insulation, loft insulation & floor and pipe insulation products to meet all your building supplies requirements, whether acoustic, fire or thermal. We have a large product range from leading manufacturers such as Knauf, Rockwool, Celotex, Kay Metzelar and Visqueen.
Contacts:
Alison Murphy
Marketing Team
Email: alison.murphy@wolseley.co.uk
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alison_Murphy
Loft Insulation
Did you know that sufficient loft insulation can help save home owners between £180 - £220 on their annual energy bills?
Well it's true! Statistics show that homeowners with insufficient loft insulation could be losing as much as 15% of their fuel costs through their roof (Energy Savings trust - 2009).
The recommended depth for insulation in all new UK builds is currently 270mm. All homeowners with less than the recommended depth should consider topping up their loft and can do so either by contacting a professional installer or by doing so themselves.
In particular, homeowners of older properties (with less than 60mm) could be eligible to receive funding to help reduce the cost of topping up to the required 270mm depth. Some schemes are currently operating that enable those aged 70 or over and those on selected benefits and income support to receive loft insulation fitted for free.
By installing the recommended depth of loft insulation, potential savings on energy bills can go a long way towards paying for loft insulation to be fitted! It can stay effective for up to 40 years which means that it will not only pay for itself once, but over and over again resulting in a fantastic return on investment.
In addition to saving money, loft insulation can also be a great way to help reduce Carbon Emissions in the UK because using less energy helps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions (CO2): which is one of the biggest causes of climate change. With the effects of climate change becoming increasingly apparent, recognising ways to limit its effects have become a priority on the government's agenda.
Back in September 2008, Gordon Brown announced a £910 million package of measures aimed at driving a 'lasting change' in energy efficiency and consumption in the UK. An integral part of the initiative is to ensure all homes are sufficiently insulated by 2020 and will be fully funded through the UK's major energy suppliers. The government will carefully monitor energy providers to ensure that no costs are passed onto the consumer in the form of future price rises.
Cavity Wall Insulation
The walls of all homes built after 1920 are likely to be made up of two layers, with a gap in between. This gap means that these are 'Cavity Walls.'
The more ways home owners can make their homes more energy efficient, the greater the potential energy savings! 'Insulating cavity walls reduces heat loss and can save homeowners around £160 a year on your fuel bills' (Energy Savings trust - 2009). Like loft insulation, it's quick and easy to install. It also pays back relatively quickly due to the energy savings it can provide homeowners.
Making a house more marketable
Ultimately, improving the energy efficiency rating of a house through the use of Loft Insulation or Cavity Wall insulation can help to make the house more marketable. Since April 2009, Home Information Packs (HIP) are a compulsory document for most homes on the market within England and Wales. The HIP is a set of both compulsory and optional documents that provides the buyer with important information about the property they are interested in purchasing.
One of the compulsory documents contained within the HIP pack is an 'Energy Performance Certificate' (EPC) which gives a building an A to G rating. A is the most efficient - D is generally the average fro properties in the UK. The higher the rating, the more fuel efficient the property will be which will help to make the property more attractive to buyers.
Alison Murphy - Build Center offer a wide range of cavity wall insulation, loft insulation & floor and pipe insulation products to meet all your building supplies requirements, whether acoustic, fire or thermal. We have a large product range from leading manufacturers such as Knauf, Rockwool, Celotex, Kay Metzelar and Visqueen.
Contacts:
Alison Murphy
Marketing Team
Email: alison.murphy@wolseley.co.uk
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alison_Murphy
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