Millions of households are wasting around £500 a year on energy bills – because of inadequate, poor, or aged insulation, research has found. Experts analysing 25 million homes found that over half (55 percent) only meet standards from 1976, or earlier – and lose more heat through poor wall cavity, loft, and floor insulation, and double-glazing, than modern regulations insist on today.
It emerged the percentage of properties with an insulation age of 2002 or younger has more than doubled from eight percent in 2022, to 18 percent in 2024. And just 41 percent have updated their properties to meet the standards set in the 1970s.
However, the average semi-detached homeowner could save up to £235 a year if they upgraded their cavity walls, and a further £225 by having a well-insulated loft. Meanwhile, bills could be reduced by £315 a year, if solid wall insulation was updated.
The study, conducted by EDF, in partnership with property data platform, Sprift, analysed the current levels of home insulation – including floor, roof, window, and wall – against building regulations of homes across different time periods, to calculate the nation’s “home insulation age”.
And additional research, of 2,000 homeowners or renters, found one in five (19 percent) have updated their properties since 2022.
The research will be playing a leading role in the government’s Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS), by seeking to extend the benefits of the scheme to more households.
Philippe Commaret, managing director for customers at the energy provider, said: “It’s clear from this research that, despite the energy crisis, little progress has been made in improving the energy efficiency of older British homes in the past two years – meaning millions of homeowners are missing out on significant savings on their energy bills.”
The study also found 26 percent have considered updating their insulation, but not gone ahead with it. Of those, 32 percent felt it was too expensive, with 17 percent preferring to spend the money elsewhere.
But 69 percent of those who have made improvements in the past two years, were spurred on by the money they could save on energy bills. And 71 percent said it keeps their home warmer, while 38 percent claimed the prevention of damp and mould was an important factor.
It also emerged 76 percent of respondents, polled via OnePoll, said the volatility of the energy market over the past two years has made them more concerned than ever before about rising energy prices.
And 55 percent would be more likely to consider updating their homes, to make them more energy efficient, if they could get financial support.
However, exactly two-thirds were unaware of government projects to provide eligible homeowners or renters free, or cheaper, home insulation – such as The Great British Insulation Scheme, or EC04.
Philippe Commaret added: “Our ongoing efforts to support and improve crucial initiatives, such as the GBIS, will help empower customers to embrace energy efficiency, so they can save both cash and carbon.”
