Finally, the time has arrived when spine-chilling winter will turn life upside down. Roads covered up in a blanket of snow and chimneys emitting smoke are some of the signs of extreme cold weather hitting parts of the UK.
Before it arrives and things start to mess up, it is important to take things under control. One of them is to take a complete look at your house and inspect if there are any areas with cracks, gaps, holes, and other damages.
It is also important to take a look at how well the heating system is working. Despite of your heating system working perfectly, it may not perform well without insulating your house. The holes, gaps, and cracks in your house provide the gateway to let the hot air escape. This leads to more energy consumption and less heating. Even if you turn on your heating system all day long, the heating won’t be as much as if your house were properly insulated.
Loft insulation is one of the ways to insulate your home to prevent heat escape. Whether you have an old house or a new one, loft insulation is key to keeping your home warm and comfortable.
But what is loft insulation and why it is important? Let’s talk about it briefly.
What is Loft Insulation?
Loft insulation refers to the process of installing materials in the loft or attic space of a building to reduce heat loss and improve energy efficiency. The insulation material is typically placed between the joists or on the loft floor to create a barrier that helps to trap heat inside the living spaces below.
The importance of loft insulation lies in its ability to enhance the thermal efficiency of a building. Here are some key reasons why loft insulation is important.
Why is Loft Insulation so Important?
Up till now, you may have an idea what is loft insulation. But why loft insulation is so important apart from providing thermal efficiency? Here’s everything you need to know.
Heat Loss Prevention
Heat loss is the major common problem in winter for most households. Particularly, old houses are vulnerable to heat loss during the winter due to cracks, holes, damages, and leaks. It all comes down to putting a load on the heating system and increasing monthly bills.
Whereas there are some other areas that are often ignored by homeowners. Roofs are often the ignored areas and are known for increased heat loss.
The loft insulation is the only way to prevent any heat loss through roofs. You can expect as much as a 35% to 40% reduction in heat loss. If you are struggling to lower your energy bills, despite having an efficient heating system, try loft insulation for once and see the difference.
Worth Investing to Save in the Future
If you are thinking of why loft insulation is so important and how it would benefit me. The only answer is that loft insulation can help you save hundreds of pounds every year. With the increased rate of energy bills, your winters are not going to be warm and comfortable with loft insulation.
If you are unable to afford loft insulation, you can always apply to the ECO4 scheme that covers replacing your inefficient heating system and improving the energy efficiency of your home with loft insulation.
Cut Down Carbon Emissions
One of the benefits of loft insulation is that you can minimize your energy consumption. With less consumption and more heating, there will be a drastic reduction in the emission of carbon monoxide and other greenhouse gases.
Imagine reducing the carbon footprint by insulating your home and playing a part in an eco-friendly environment. As per Energy Saving Trust, you can reduce the emission of carbon monoxide by as much as 550kg-1030kg, depending on various factors such as the construction of the house and size.
Noise Reduction
Apart from reducing carbon emissions and making your home energy-efficient, loft insulation can also be helpful in reducing noise pollution. This helps in promoting a peaceful and calm environment, which otherwise would not have been possible.
Increase the Value of Your Home
Loft insulation also improves the EPC rating of your house, which is helpful in increasing the value of your house. Whether you want to sell your property in the future or rent it privately, both will yield a better return.
How to Qualify for Free Loft Insulation?
Saving money on energy bills is what every homeowner tries to achieve, especially in winter. If you are also one of those but unable to afford loft insulation, you are covered under ECO Scheme UK. Here’s how you can qualify for the ECO4 Grant covering loft insulation.
- If your home’s EPC rating is D, E, F, or G, your home is not energy-efficient. It means you are not using a new boiler for heating your home and there is no insulation to prevent heat loss.
- When checking the eligibility for a free boiler grant, you will be asked whether your living place is insulated or not.
- If your answer is no, you will also get coverage for free insulation along with boiler replacement
Summing Up
The ECO4 Scheme is a great initiative by the government of the UK to provide vulnerable households funding to make their homes energy-efficient. Whether it be replacing your old faulty boiler, an air source heat pump, or a central heating system, make sure to apply for the ECO4 scheme before March 2026.
To make your home energy-efficient and improve your EPC rating, it is also important to insulate it properly for less heat loss, reduced energy bills, and more warmth. It all depends on the type of property that insulation suits the most whether it be loft insulation, underroof insulation, cavity wall insulation, or internal wall insulation.
Stay tuned to eco energy services for related information about ECO4 Scheme, boiler grants, first time central heating grants, and air source heat pump grants.