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What is insulation and how can it cut energy bills? What is insulation and how can it cut energy bills?
(2 months later)
Energy bills are set to rise by 54% for many in the UK this April - and households in properties without proper insulation could be the worst hit, spending up to £246 a year more on their gas bills, according to the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU). Campaigners and opposition politicians have expressed frustration that the government's new energy strategy contains no new measures to encourage better insulation.
After months of soaring gas prices, energy bills rose further for many in the UK when the energy cap increased on 1 April.
Households in properties with poor insulation could be the worst hit, spending up to £246 a year more on their gas bills, according to the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit.
UK plans eight new nuclear reactors to boost energy
Will the UK's energy strategy work?
How high could my energy bills go?
What is insulation and how can it cut bills?What is insulation and how can it cut bills?
Home insulation is the process of trapping heat inside a property, usually by covering areas exposed to the outside, such as roofs, floors and walls.Home insulation is the process of trapping heat inside a property, usually by covering areas exposed to the outside, such as roofs, floors and walls.
Without it, indoor temperatures can be hard to maintain, with homes losing up to 45% of their heat, according to the Energy Savings Trust.Without it, indoor temperatures can be hard to maintain, with homes losing up to 45% of their heat, according to the Energy Savings Trust.
The Energy Performance Certificate that comes with the sale or renting of a property will show how efficient it is.The Energy Performance Certificate that comes with the sale or renting of a property will show how efficient it is.
But if the temperature drops very quickly after the heating is switched off, the home is unlikely to be properly insulated.But if the temperature drops very quickly after the heating is switched off, the home is unlikely to be properly insulated.
And insulation can ensure the heating uses no unnecessary energy.And insulation can ensure the heating uses no unnecessary energy.
Wall insulation traps air between its fibres to hold the heat for longerWall insulation traps air between its fibres to hold the heat for longer
What type of insulation is needed?What type of insulation is needed?
The main types, depending on the property, are:The main types, depending on the property, are:
loft/roof insulationloft/roof insulation
cavity-wall insulationcavity-wall insulation
solid-wall insulationsolid-wall insulation
floor insulationfloor insulation
draught proofing draught-proofing
Most heat is lost through the roof, so it should be insulated as a priority - and about two-thirds of homes have loft insulation.Most heat is lost through the roof, so it should be insulated as a priority - and about two-thirds of homes have loft insulation.
Heat is also lost through walls. However, many properties have a cavity-wall structure - a gap between the inner and outer wall - where insulation can be inserted. Heat is also lost through walls. However, many properties have a cavity-wall structure - a gap between the inner and outer walls - where insulation can be inserted.
Solid-wall properties, however, about 31% in the UK, need insulation on the outside. Solid-wall properties, however, about 31% of the homes in the UK, need insulation on the outside.
And, according to 2017 figures, only about 12.3% of them have it.And, according to 2017 figures, only about 12.3% of them have it.
How much will it cost and what support is available? How much will it cost and what help is available?
The cost of insulation depends on the type needed and the size and age of the property. The cost of insulation depends on the type needed, and the size and age of the property.
In a typical semi-detached house, cavity-wall and loft insulation would cost £750 in total.In a typical semi-detached house, cavity-wall and loft insulation would cost £750 in total.
The payback period - the time it takes to recover the costs - is 10 years for cavity-wall and two for loft insulation.The payback period - the time it takes to recover the costs - is 10 years for cavity-wall and two for loft insulation.
Floor and solid-wall insulation, however, can take up to 30 years to pay off.Floor and solid-wall insulation, however, can take up to 30 years to pay off.
But all four UK nations provide support for installation to low-income households:But all four UK nations provide support for installation to low-income households:
The Home Upgrade Grant, managed by local authorities, offers funding for cavity-wall and loft insulation and draught proofing The Home Upgrade Grant, managed by local authorities, offers funding for cavity-wall and loft insulation and draught-proofing
The Energy Company Obligation requires suppliers to support low-income households with improvements to their homeThe Energy Company Obligation requires suppliers to support low-income households with improvements to their home
For higher earners, the situation is a little more confused, however.For higher earners, the situation is a little more confused, however.
The Green Homes Grant has been scrapped and the government has not announced when it will be replaced. The Green Homes Grant has been scrapped, and the government has not announced when it will be replaced.
Campaigners hoped the UK government's new energy strategy would include specific measures to encourage more and better insulation.
Former Ofgem boss Dermot Nolan said the lack of focus on energy efficiency and insulation was "an opportunity missed".
Green party co-leader Adrian Ramsay also criticised the approach, saying: "A mass insulation programme would see bills reduced dramatically, and ensure people had warm, comfortable homes, while also tackling the climate crisis and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels altogether."
Why are UK homes poorly insulated?Why are UK homes poorly insulated?
The UK has some of the least energy-efficient and leakiest housing in Europe - due to the old age of much of the housing stock. The UK has some of the least energy-efficient and leakiest housing in Europe - because of the old age of much of the housing stock.
In 2020, the UK had 29.3 million domestic properties, 36% built before World War Two.In 2020, the UK had 29.3 million domestic properties, 36% built before World War Two.
But even newer homes often lack basic insulation - only one out of every four UK homes has draught proofing. But even newer homes often lack basic insulation - only one out of every four UK homes has draught-proofing.
Two-thirds of UK homes 'fail on energy targets'Two-thirds of UK homes 'fail on energy targets'
Older housing stock is least likely to be properly insulatedOlder housing stock is least likely to be properly insulated
What about tenants?What about tenants?
About 35% of properties in the UK are either social housing or privately rented - and these are likely to be the least efficient, according to the Energy Savings Trust.About 35% of properties in the UK are either social housing or privately rented - and these are likely to be the least efficient, according to the Energy Savings Trust.
But local authorities can improve their housing stock through Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. But local authorities can improve their housing stock through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.
And while tenants in privately rented accommodation can take only limited action, landlords can be fined up to £5,000 for renting properties with an Energy Performance Certificate rating below E, and, by 2028, C.And while tenants in privately rented accommodation can take only limited action, landlords can be fined up to £5,000 for renting properties with an Energy Performance Certificate rating below E, and, by 2028, C.