WEEAC
Loft insulation is one of the most effective forms of energy efficiency in your home and should be one of the first actions you take to help reduce your bills and save energy. Adding loft insulation to your roof space will pay for itself within one year and will keep the heat where it should be; inside your home.
One of the easiest ways to see if you are losing heat from your roof is during the cold weather. If snow or ice melts from your roof when the heating is on, then it is likely you are losing heat. If the roof remains covered in ice or snow it means there is no heat loss from inside the home.
There are now clear guidelines for new build homes which states that mineral fibre loft insulation must reach a depth of 270mm and cover the ceiling joists, not just the space between them. If you are building a new home, ensure you check that current Building Regulations are met and what additional action you can take to meet the Code for Sustainable Homes guidelines.
What is insulation?
There is now a huge range of loft insulation available on the market at various levels of expense and environmental impact. Sound, fire, water and thermal considerations can also be taken into account and you will be able to choose the right insulation for your needs.
Traditionally loft insulation was made of glass fibre which is manufactired from silica (rock). Today there are several other options including sheep's wool, cellulose fibre (recycled newspaper), polystyrene or polyurethane foam boards, mineral wool and others. Depending on what level of the regulations you want to meet, you can install 40cm depth of insulation which would meet level six of the code for sustainable homes.
Even if you buy a few rolls of standard insulation from your local DIY store and overlay it on your current insulation you will be significantly improving the energy efficiency of your home.
To find out if you are eligible for a grant visit the grants section of this website.
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