Millions could be slashed from UK heating bills with quick and easy loft insulation, says Actis
With almost a third of British homes leeching heat out through uninsulated lofts, the potential to save the nation’s householders millions of pounds easily and cheaply is enormous.
Yet despite government campaigns to address the issue, families are still paying over the odds every year on heating bills, says European insulation specialist Actis.
Statistics highlighting the staggering number of homes which are thermally inadequate come from the Department of Energy and Climate Change. And, while figures may have altered slightly since the report was issued in the summer of 2013, the fact remains that around 7.4 million homes in the UK have minimal – if any – insulation in their roofs.
To translate that into pounds, shillings and pence that means your average three bedroom gas centrally heated semi spews out about £212 of heat through its roof every year.
Yet it would take only three and a half years to recoup that lost cash – and thereafter enjoy an extra £200 or so which could be spent on something far more fun than a gas bill – by installing insulation, says Actis technical manager, architect Thomas Wiedmer.
He explains how installing the company’s CE marked, NHBC approved Hybrid range, which has achieved LABC Registered Details, would vastly improved thermal efficiency.
“For around £745, including labour, the uninsulated roof of a 60s semi can see its U-value improve elevenfold to 0.18/m2K. Achieving this would require approximately 50m2 of vapour control layer HControlHybrid and 90mm honeycomb insulation Hybris at a cost of £625. As it’s quick and easy to install this would take only one and a half man days – at an approximate cost of £120.”
Heat loss would reduce sharply – from 5,513kWh/year (assuming the U-value of the existing pitched roof build-up without any insulation is 2.03 W/m2K) to just 489kWh/year, leading to annual savings of £212, based on a kWh price of 4.21 pence.
“The products are flexible, which means any margin for error in installation can be reduced or eliminated as they can be fitted neatly into irregular shapes, reducing thermal bridging and improving air tightness. In addition, its size and lightness makes it handier to transport to and from site and up loft ladders.”
As an added bonus, its thinness also means the loft can actually be used as a room, as there is no headroom issue. Builders who’ve used the Hybrid range to insulate roofs are impressed both with its performance and the ease and speed with which it can be installed.
Canterbury builder Simon Day explained:
“I was stunned at just how well the heat was retained. The ease of installing the products meant my labour was reduced by around 25% compared to installing traditional insulation materials.”
“There are no fibres and no dust is created when you cut it, which means I didn’t need a respiratory mask or any special clothes – I was almost as clean when I got home as when I started the job.”
“The material costs were approximately three quarters of what I would have spent if I’d used traditional insulation materials to achieve the same thermal performance.”
Lincolnshire builder Brian Goodwin said:
“I have no doubt that this type of insulation is the way forward. It is so much easier to install. I am sure the number of properties using this type of insulation will increase rapidly based on its performance and ease of use.”
“This is so much easier and quicker and more comfortable to work with than any other type of insulation.”
For further information on the Actis range of insulation www.insulation-actis.com