We are encouraged to make the most of having insulation and draught proofing in our properties. By helping to maintain heat within the property and therefore cut the amount of fuel that we use to keep our properties heated. We have all heard of the main areas, like loft insulation and wall insulation, that can really make a large difference to cutting heating bills in a property, save heat and also help you be that much greener.
Did you also know that there a lot of small, simple, things that you can do that can help to supplement your insulation and help to save you just a little bit more? This article will help to point out a few simple extra insulation ideas to help you make the most from your energy saving efforts.
Loft Hatch
You may have the loft insulated properly and to the right level but what about the actual hatch itself? That still loses heat. When you fit the insulation think about securely fastening some to the back of the hatch to reduce the heat loss. Also fit draught excluding seals around the hatch to hold it tight against the frame.
Draught Proofing
There are many simple areas you can think of draught proofing, the obvious ones being doors and windows frames, which you should check and insulate where possible. But have you thought of getting a keyhole cover for your door? That will let air through. How about a draught excluder for your letter box? Sounds silly, doesn’t it, but each of these measures will help maintain your comfortable temperature in your property.
Floors
Think about sealing any draughts between floor-boards, skirting boards and behind bath panels. Sometimes there can be holes in the brick work around these locations so make sure you fill them in or insulate them. When you are having carpet fitted, make sure you have underlay put down to stop heat escaping through the floor.
Curtains
Consider using curtains with your windows and potentially with doors as well. Remember to close them over when it is cold outside or dark because that will help to keep the heat inside the property. If you have the curtains lined it will make your curtains even more resistant to heat loss!
Brickwork and Pipe-work
Have a look around inside and outside your property. Look at places pipes and services come into the building or for any holes that could be in the brickwork. Consider using spray insulation foam to fill these areas, but make sure that you don’t block any vents or air bricks. Also make sure that you follow the safety instructions and wear a mask!
Think about insulating the cold water pipes in your house too, especially those in the loft, or going through or close to external walls. This will help to prevent them freezing and will help to keep the whole property just a little bit warmer.
Each of these tips alone will only give you a little bit of a saving, but combined and used with the bigger measures they will have a noticeable effect. Every unit of fuel you save will save you money. So why not do the simple things and save a bit more?
Let us know if you have any other simple tips to insulate your home.
Written by Symon Silvester, MD of SAS EPC
Great clear and concise message here. There is money to be saved from so many aspects of insulation in the home, and if people aren’t doing it then they’re throwing they’re money away. As a window specialist myself, I try to save the world that little bit every day by spreading the word, and well done for doing it here!
Yes thers is money to be saved in doing insulation correctly, however, many home owners / insulation installers seem to forget that when you super insulate your attic you also super insulate your electrical wiring – thus negating some of your savings in a loss of efficiency and possibly compromising the original design characteristics of the electrical wiring system.
Unlike plumbing, electrical wiring needs to be kept well above insulation, clipped onto wood runs in free air. Home owners be aware there may be a sting in the tail for not understanding this simple requirement.
good insulation will definitely make a big difference in monthly energy savings. There is less than a month left to install government approved energy saving window treatments like honeycomb blinds to receive tax credits, though. The deadline is Dec 31, 2010
There is a lot of money to be saving my installing insulation but there’s also the up front cost which means you don’t usually making a saving until a year or two down the line. However there are initiatives in place to make it more affordable such as the government backed Green Deal and and feed-in tariffs.
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