Last month we talked about the governments plans to ban the sale of poorly insulated homes and now fresh talks are in progress about introducing higher council taxes for ungreen homes. We got some great emails from our article last month and this latest announcement will undoubtedly cause further debates.

According to the Telegraph the government will not only increase council tax on such homes but also increase stamp duty. The scheme could come in to force later this year and would raise the average home improvement costs for home owners. Despite the proposal it has received strong criticism from both housing experts and politicians.

It is still unclear at this stage whether the scheme will be introduced however the Energy Saving Trust is recommending that home owners start making energy efficient home improvements now. This is because under laws already passed home owners must disclose information about their homes efficiency in the home information pack. A poorly rated home will be much more difficult to sell in today’s environment.

There are many ways in which home owners can improve their homes efficiency. Research carried out by the Trust shows that insulation is by far one of the most effective methods to improve your homes energy performance. On average loft insulation can save home owners £155 a year. The introduction of new technologies means that there are also plenty of ways for creating a future proof home.

We will bring more on this story as its announced.

Insulation is used in housing and buildings across the globe but how does it work? We know that it helps reduce heat loss and improves air flow around a home but what makes it work? Well essentially insulation is used to create a type of barrier between the inside and outside of your home. It sounds all very simple but in fact many things are happening within the home that we cannot see.

Insulation is used to control heat movement which happens in a number of ways. They are radiation, conduction and convention. Radiation is not visible to the human eye but works by using electromagnetic light waves. This type heat of transfer in the home is very common and in winter warm object can radiate (heat loss) heat through uninsulated areas such as windows.

Convection is the transfer of heat energy (movement currents) from liquids and gasses. For example in a cup of boiling water the hot air will rise and dispense through the air while the cool air will fall. Inadequate insulation can lead to problems such as condensation.

Finally you have conduction which is the transfer of heat through objects. This is an area for careful consideration when developing insulation. A poorly insulated roof for example could allow valuable heat to escape through conduction.

Insulation manufacturers have to take each of these forces in to consideration and design insulation that restricts them in efficient and effective ways. Different types of insulation are more effective in certain situations than others and in all cases must be placed in the right areas of a home. It should be noted that insulation does not stop heat movement but in fact slows the movement of heat transfer down. Insulation is designed to absorb heat and provide a balanced and efficient home.

Further Reading
BBC – Explaining Insulation
Convection, Conduction & Radiation

image courtesy of: thingermejig on Flickr

Insulation is sold in various forms with each form having their own pros and cons.

Loose Fill Insulation

The most obvious factor about this type of insulation is its form. Loose fill insulation is designed to be fluffy and loose so that it can be pumped into walls and tight spaces. Older houses tended to favour this type of insulation as you could easily top it up to ensure your household remains warm.

Loose fill insulation can be made from a range of different materials including waste paper and moltern glass. Cellulose loose-fill insulation is made from waste paper such as old newspapers and is broken down into small particles to create a thick insulation.

Rockwool and fiberglass insulation are also popular types of loose fill insulation. The major drawback to this type of insulation is that it can become loose and create voids for draughts.

Reflective Insulation

This is sometimes referred to as a radiant barrier and comprises of a metalic foil which you roll over your roof spaces. Essentially this insulation type blocks radiant heat transfer across open spaces.

Reflective insulation is a good light weight solution and is often good at controlling airflow. The main difficulty is that you have to get a number of factors right for it to be truly effective. Installation for example has to be inch perfect and your room / roof type plays a big part.

Rigid Insulation

The most common form of insulation of this type is spray foam insulation which forms a rigid barrier over your attic / loft area to stop valuable heat from escaping. It is one of the most used insulation types in modern construction as it helps reduce heat loss significantly and is environmentally friendly.

One of the biggest benefits behind spray foam insulation is that it can keep a home warm in the winter while keeping conditions cool in the summer.

As you can see there are many types of insulation and upgrading your attic insulation couldn’t be easier. Households lose hundreds of pounds each year as a result of poor insulation.

Good Resources:

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/table1

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb268/is_200602/ai_n18878068/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insulation

The loft is often one of the most underused and least valued spaces in the home yet these large spaces offer much more than a mere opportunity for expansion. Spending on your loft space can be a great way to increase the value of your home and reduce home heating costs. How you ask? Well adding an extra bedroom to a home has always traditionally added value to a property and using energy saving methods such as insulation can reduce heat loss and save on heating costs.

Creating the right space and look and feel of a loft conversion is pivotal to the valuation of your new floor space and with many things it requires meticulous planning. However the aim here is long term which means not only looking at creating a beautiful space but also an efficient space. Buyers and home owners a like look for economical solutions and this is where products such as insulation can be key.

According to the Energy Saving Trust heat loss can be as high as 15% in homes that are uninsulated. This usually occurs through the roof and in turn this results in 15% of your heating bill equating to wasted energy. Home roof insulation is perfect for solving such problems and should be a key part of any loft conversion project.

Why Insulate Your Loft?

Insulating your loft firstly helps combat heat loss and provides a controlled airflow through your home. Insulation essentially stops valuable heat from escaping through your roof rafters and distributes it effectively through your home again. This helps significantly reduce your energy bills and in today’s economic climate we all know this to be extremely important.

Insulation is also an effective way to reduce your homes C02 emissions. You can do your bit for the environment with many of the leading insulation types as they are environmentally friendly. The most effective is proven to be spray foam.

Is your home suitable for Insulation?

The answer to this depends on the condition of your loft but generally speaking it is suitable for almost all homes. Lofts that suffer from damp and condensation problems are sometimes needed to be treated first before insulation can be put in place. Of course some insulation types are more flexible than others. Foam insulation is probably the most flexible but in many homes you will find out dated wool insulation.

Insulation can also be installed by professionals like ourselves or by using some of the off the shelf packages.
When you come to renovating your loft you will need to consider the type of loft insulation you are going to use at a very early stage of your project. This is because it will need to be installed to fit with your window and roof raft spaces. This takes a great level of skill but doing properly will help you deliver a well polished finish. This of course can be the difference between a good and outstanding project.

In conclusion the loft is one of the most profitable and architecturally sound places to expand your home. These unique spaces create exciting opportunities for new bedrooms, studies, games rooms and much more. If you are working on a loft conversion project let the professionals help.

Picture by: Kaiserbox

Problems in the home with mould, condensation, mildew and rotten wood are commonplace for many people. They can be a cause of a combination of unavoidable everyday activities, such as cooking, showering and doing the laundry. These problems come from moisture in the air that travels through the home and settles on cold surfaces, creating an excess of moisture, which then leads to further problems. These surfaces could be anywhere, in your attic or basement but also often in bedrooms where it can be of the most danger to humans. The problem often worsens during the winter, when the weather improves come summer, people forget the disastrous effects and do not realise the problem is still there and there is a risk if it is left to fester. Obviously one can see that it is essential the problem is dealt with as soon as possible

The Most Effective Solution

The most long-term and effective solution to these problems is insulation. Insulating your entire home sounds like it could be a rather daunting project but realistically it can be completed within a couple of days. Insulation is worth carrying out for health reasons alone, if you live with a new baby, young children or the elderly but also if you have a weak immune system or suffer from allergies, the insulation can really make a difference. Furthermore, insulation will combat the issue of moisture in the home that lead to unpleasant ‘musty’ smells, black walls and condensation on windows.

The first step should be to clean any mould and the affected area that is currently present using rubber gloves clean and by diluting bleach with water. It is then essential that you get your home insulated. Once you have done this, ensure your house is well ventilated by airing it daily and invest in a dehumidifier that is used when washing is being dried.

If left the problem will not go away, the damp in your home will spread to other areas, get worse, and ultimately ruin your home, possessions and possibly your health.

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Source:Money Saving Expert.com

These hikes have been a result of increasing global demand but what can home owners do to beat the utility companies.

There are many ways to try and beat the utility companies and reduce the effect we have on the environment and the internet is quite literally littered with energy efficient products and services however one method stands head and shoulders above the crowd. This method has been around for decades and is by no means new technology however the constant advancements mean it is one of the most effective. We are of course referring to home insulation.

It is widely recognised that a lack of insulation in a home can result in the largest loss of energy. In an un-insulated home heat can escape freely through a house’s envelope during the winter months. Home owners put their heaters on for longer and waste large levels of energy during this time. The housing envelope is the gaps in your roofing, walls, windows and floors. Sealing this envelope can reduce your heating costs by up to 20%.

The one thing that makes insulation such an appealing option is the cost. You’re not only beating the utility companies by paying less in bills, but installation costs in some instances are subsidised by the government. The government is currently providing grants for insulation as part of its energy saving initiative. Some types of insulation don’t require any maintenance which means that home owners only pay a one off fee. In time the costs can be recovered from the savings in utility bills.

How To Examine Your Current Insulation Or Identify Whether Your Envelope Needs Sealing

The obvious way would be to call in a professional however there are a couple of tests you can do to examine the state of your home insulation. In a home there are two key focus points where temperature exchange takes place. These are the attic and in the basement. These are ideal places to start your examination.

To identify whether your home is sealed properly or not, you should inspect the walls and ceilings. In the basement look for gaps between the homes’ foundations and the bottom of the walls. Look for gaps between joists in the ceiling and whether the roof has been insulated before.

If you discover you have existing insulation installed have a look at its state. It is very possible that it needs replacing as gaps have started to form. Look for dirty spots and wet or frosts spots. These are good indications that air is getting through your insulation. If this is the case then should look at replacing it.

Fixing The Problems & What Insulation To Use

If you have identified that you need to replace your insulation or have insulation then the next question is what insulation should you use? There is many different types of insulation on today’s market however some are much more effective than others. As mentioned above an ideal situation would be to use installation that doesn’t fall into disrepair easily. One of the latest types and most effective is spray foam.

Spray foam insulation is probably the most easy to apply as you spray the foam straight onto the joists and undersides of a roof. It also only takes around 1 to 2 days to apply and the levels of thickness can be adjusted very easily. This type of insulation also has a good life span and is environmentally friendly.

Spray foam insulation is available in self install kits however for reliable and effective results its best to take on a specialist insulation company. This is because they can make any required structural repairs to your roof and apply the foam in exactly the right places.

Resources:

Rising Energy Costs Article

Energy Star – Effectiveness of Insulation

Testing for Thermal Performance