BRITS are losing millions of pounds – and even risking their lives – amid warnings that 55% have insulation based on standards nearly 50 years out of date.
Insulation expert, Dave Raval, highlighted the staggering number of UK properties – more than 13 million – that only meet insulation standards of 1976 or earlier.
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These homes are losing heat through the likes of inadequate wall cavity insulation, lack of double glazing, insufficient loft insulation and poor floor insulation – all features that modern regulations specify today.
As a result, those property owners could each be throwing away up to £380 per year in additional energy costs.
Experts have also revealed the reoccurring mistakes they have spotted in various properties, including using cardboard boxes as insulation, covering electrical cables or wires, and blocking ventilation.
But as well as the impact this has on the temperature and environment of a home, this could also pose a health and safety risk to those living inside.
It comes after a study of 2,000 homeowners revealed 69% of those who have laid loft insulation themselves are guilty of making some of these mistakes, with 41 per cent ‘completely unaware’ they were doing anything wrong.
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Many homeowners are unknowingly squashing their insulation by placing belongings directly on top, reducing its performance by 50 per cent, causing more heat to escape, forcing them to turn up the heating and spend more on their energy bills.
Dave Raval, CEO of LoftZone, which commissioned the research, said: “Many homeowners don’t realise that their DIY attempts could actually be making their homes less energy efficient, more dangerous, and more expensive to run.
“The right insulation, installed correctly, can make a massive difference, not just to comfort and cost, but to safety as well.”
It also emerged six in 10 of those polled admitted their knowledge on this subject was ‘average’, ‘poor’, or ‘very poor’.
Of those who have never tried DIY loft insulation, the main reason given for their reluctance was this lack of knowledge about what to fit or how to fit it.
When asked about the proper depth of insulation a loft should have, only two per cent knew the correct answer of 270mm.
Nearly four in 10 (39%) of those polled, via OnePoll.com, also admitted they were not certain whether or not their loft was properly insulated.
But safety was also an issue with 28% of those who have laid insulation themselves installing it without the necessary protective gear.
While 14% had at some point removed their old insulation without checking for hazards, such as asbestos, mould, or even pests living in the eaves.
Although 97% believe in the benefits of insulation, 47%have still noticed lingering draughts and cold spots around their insulated homes.
With 15% experiencing more severe issues such as mould and damp due to incorrectly fitted insulation.
Raval added: “There are a number of methods for homeowners to avoid these costly and potentially dangerous pitfalls, which are simpler than you think.”
In other news, it was recently revealed that one in four Brits know more about pop culture than their savings accounts, according to Skipton Building Society
Whilst, a recent NatWest survey found that a quarter of young Brits (those aged 35 and under) have £500 or less in their savings.
Five top tips to stop energy waste
1. Mind the gaps
On a chilly evening, light a candle and hold it near a window – if the flame flickers, that’s your hard-earned heating escaping through the gaps. Draught excluders such as self-adhesive foam strips are a quick and affordable fix available at any DIY shop and can be installed in mere minutes.
2. Boost your insulation
Insulation is your best friend when it comes to preventing heat loss through walls and roofs – topping up your loft insulation to meet government guidelines could save you hundreds on heating bills each year. But don’t get caught out by storing things directly on top of it, as squashing your insulation reduces its effectiveness by up to 50 per cent – investing in a raised loft boarding system is a great way to avoid this while keeping your storage space.
3. Walls
Around 35 per cent of your home’s heat escapes through the walls. Homes built before the 1990s may lack insulation – cavity wall insulation suits post-1920 homes, while solid wall insulation works best for older ones. A quick fix? Heavy curtains help block draughts and add extra warmth near windows.
4. Floors
To stop chilly drafts creeping up through your floors, insulate them with fiberglass, sprayed foam, or foam board – but ensure your insulation is vapour-permeable so you don’t risk rotting the wood. Then throw down some rugs or carpets or, for an even toastier feel, under-floor heating is a game-changer – and don’t forget to seal those sneaky gaps around skirting boards and floor edges with caulk or foam to trap the heat inside.
5. Pipework
It’s not just the pipes themselves that matter, but the air around them plays a big role in heat loss too. Sealing gaps around pipes where they enter walls or floors stops cold draughts sneaking in and keeps the warm air trapped inside.
