Cavity Wall Insulation
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Upgrade Your Home's Energy Efficiency:
According to the latest data, more than 6.1 million houses or buildings with cavity walls in the UK do not have insulated cavity walls. If your home was built around the 1920s, it is likely to have cavity walls as well. You can check if your house has cavity walls by looking at the brickwork. If the brick shows only the long side, you have cavity walls. This means you need to invest in high-quality and durable cavity wall insulation.
In the UK, millions of people live in cold, poorly insulated homes primarily because they lack the resources to insulate their houses and boost their spaces’ energy efficiency.
So, to address this issue, several government-funded grants have been introduced to encourage eligible people to upgrade their homes into more energy-efficient ones. The main objectives are to save energy, reduce their carbon footprint, and cut costs. If your goal is the same, investing in cavity wall insulation is the best way to utilise your wall insulation grant.
With a properly insulated building, you enjoy a comfortable home and have peace of mind knowing you are not negatively impacting the environment anymore.
How Does Cavity Wall Insulation Work?
The process of filling insulation materials from the outside in the gap or cavity between the walls is called cavity wall insulation. This method works by retaining the warm air and preventing air from circulating through the cavity. It ensures protection against moisture build-up, noise pollution, fire risks, and heat transfer through the walls.
Cavity wall insulation is a common solution for homeowners who are tired of spending tons of money on heating and cooling systems every year. If you are also looking for an affordable way to do so, you can use your cavity wall insulation grant to cover the upfront cost of insulating the walls and enjoy long-term benefits. The best thing is that the investment will pay off within just three years with all the money you will be saving on the heating bills.
Why Do You Need Cavity Wall Insulation?
Sure, installing wall insulation is not inexpensive and requires a lot of time, money, and resources. But what if we tell you that it will offer you significant benefits other than savings? From better thermal comfort to reduced carbon footprint, these benefits will help you decide whether or not you need to invest in wall insulation.
Enhanced Fire Resistance
Many cavity wall insulations are made from materials that offer great protection from fire risks. While there are minimal chances that you will be in such a situation, prevention is always better. So, when your walls are insulated with non-combustible materials, they prevent fire from passing through them to other parts of the building, preventing it from spreading quickly. This gives you enough to act and escape the house in case of emergency. That is why property owners prefer non-combustible insulation materials over others.
Excellent Moisture Control
Uninsulated properties are always at risk of condensation, which can cause moulding and rotting within only 24-48 hours. This cannot only lead to several health conditions but also damage the structure of the building. Therefore, some wall insulation materials are specifically designed to offer protection against moisture and maintain the structural integrity of the building. As a result, it will contribute to a healthy and comfortable living environment while ensuring long-term protection against water damage.
Reduced Energy Bills
Cavity wall insulation is one of the most cost-effective ways to make your house energy-efficient and reduce your energy bills significantly. By properly insulating the walls, you can expect to save between £123 and £455 per year on your energy bill, based on the type of property you own. Moreover, if the investment seems too great, it will pay for itself just within three years of installation. Plus, if you have your wall insulation grant, you do not have to worry about the initial installation cost.
Enhanced Thermal Comfort
By reducing heat gain on hot days and heat loss on colder days, these insulated walls help maintain a more stable temperature all year round. This stability reduces your reliance on heating and cooling systems and allows you to save hundreds of pounds on energy bills yearly. Moreover, the reduced temperature fluctuation creates an evenly heated or cooled living environment that you would not be able to achieve otherwise.
Improved Sound Reduction
One of the downfalls of uninsulated cavity walls is that they cannot keep unwanted noise from entering the house, making living uncomfortable with all that noise. On the contrary, insulated cavity walls will reduce noise pollution by absorbing and reducing the intensity of sound waves that pass through the walls. Many insulation materials, such as fibreglass and mineral wool, have sound-absorbing properties. So, if you are someone who is looking for materials that will sound-proof your house, consider choosing these materials.
Reduced Carbon Footprint
Your homes have a huge impact on our environment due to intensive resource and energy consumption on a daily basis. All the energy you use eventually contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, noise pollution, air pollution, and waste production. Using your cavity wall insulation grant to insulate your cavity walls is one of the best ways to reduce negative environmental effects by minimising energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Since these insulation materials, such as mineral wool, are made from natural materials, they have a low environmental impact, reducing your carbon footprint.
Types of Cavity Wall Insulation
When it comes to choosing cavity wall insulation for your property, there are several options available for you. However, choosing the right type of insulation depends on various factors, such as building type, size, budget constraints, and insulation requirements for your property. Once you have figured that out, these are the available options:
- Mineral Wool: It is one of the most common types of wall insulation materials. It is made from igneous rocks, recycled glass, and sand. Mineral wool is an excellent option for residential properties as it offers excellent thermal and acoustic insulation properties.
- Polyurethane Foam: It is a versatile insulation material that offers air sealing, water resistance, sound insulation, and durability, making it an eco-friendly and ideal option for cavity wall insulation.
- Polystyrene Beads: It is a lightweight and versatile material that is widely used in construction projects such as insulting cavity walls. It is known for offering moisture resistance, fire resistance, and thermal properties.
- Cavity Batts: It is an eco-friendly insulation material that protects against moisture, fire, and unwanted noise. Cavity batts provide effective thermal insulation by reducing the heat loss and gain through the walls, keeping the property comfortable for living.
Costs & Funding
If you are looking for ways to retrofit your cavity walls, there are insulation grants available. The cost of installing cavity wall insulation may vary depending on the property size and type, as well as local building standards and energy supply.
There are two different ways to get cavity wall insulation funded and installed. Either you can apply for a government supported wall insulation grant through the Warmer Homes website, or you can fill out the form on the Home Energy Guide website. Once they receive your form, they will reach out to you and advise on the best providers in the area based on your property’s requirements.
You can also privately fund your new cavity wall insulation by finding local dealers around your area. This can be quite a laborious task though, so fill out our form below to get a helping hand from start to finish. Our team will guide you through the whole process. Advising on what is best suited to your property and putting you in contact with the best dealerships in your area.
Are You Eligible for a Free Cavity Wall Insulation Grant?
If your cavity wall insulation project is labelled ‘hard to treat,’ you may be able to apply for a grant under the Energy Company Obligation. The cavity wall insulation grant helps property owners cover the upfront cost by offering them capital of up to £7,500. This will encourage them to make their homes more energy-efficient and upgrade their old heating and cooling systems. However, you need to check for the eligibility criteria before applying for the subsidy.