Hug your House!

You wouldn’t step outside in winter without a sweater or a coat, yet that’s just how many houses have to face the cold weather. By ‘wrapping up’ your house, you can keep warm more easily and spend less on your heating bills.

Fill the Cavities

Cavity Wall Insulation (CWI) is one of the best cost-saving measures you can make. Uninsulated walls account for more than a third of your home’s heat loss. Not all buildings are suitable, but if your home was built between the 1930s and 1980s then it could be a candidate for CWI, and you can save around 25% on your annual fuel bill. For an average family, this equates to up to £100* a year.

Insulating your cavity walls is a simple job that can be done from the outside of your house in less than three hours. It’s a clean and simple procedure that puts insulation material into the cavity between the outer and inner walls of your house, effectively fitting the building with an extra layer of winter clothing. CWI costs around £300* and the work must be carried out by a Cavity Wall Insulation Guarantee Agency (CIGA) installer.The annual savings mean it will pay for itself within three to five years.

Give your House a Hat

Heat rises, and a loft without insulation is heating the air above the roof - good for the pigeons but not so good for the person who pays the bills! 250mm of insulation in your loft can save up to 25% of your heating costs, or up to £100* a year if your loft currently has no insulation at all. Installation by a professional costs from £200, so it should pay for itself within two to three years. To reduce costs even further, why not do the job yourself.

Also, if you do already have your loft insulated, check that it is 250mm in thickness. Anything less is still not heating your home effectively.

Keep your Tank Warm

An insulating jacket for hot water tanks only costs a few pounds and pays for itself within months. Fit one that’s at least 76mm (3”) thick and you could save around £15* per year.

Alvin says: “If every household that could install Cavity Wall Insulation did so, the UK would save £670 million a year! Check out whether your house is suitable for Cavity Wall Insulation by talking to a Cavity Wall Insulation Guarantee Agency (CIGA) installer, or log on to www.saveenergy.co.uk for more information.”

Grants are available to help with the cost of Cavity Wall Insulation. For more details, visit www.saveenergy.co.uk/ or speak to your local EEAC (Energy Efficiency Advice Centre)
on 0800 512 012.

*All information is based on a gas heated semi-detached house with three bedrooms