How to check your loft is insulated properly

Heat naturally rises so if you’ve an uninsulated loft, then plenty of heat will be escaping your home. In fact, as much as a quarter of the heat you produce can be lost through an uninsulated loft. But dealing with this problem is very simple and you’ll instantly see a difference in your energy bills.

Loft insulation will last for 40 years and more, so it’ll pay for itself time and time again with the money saved on bills.

If your loft is already insulated then don’t think that’s enough. It is worthwhile finding out if there is sufficient insulation to prevent heat escaping. Research suggests that if every UK home has loft insulation to 270mm then £500 million would be saved annually. On top of this, 2.7 million tonnes of CO2 would be saved too. This would be the same as taking 100,000 cars off of the road.

How much can I save?

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Easy access and regular joists

If there are no damp problems present in your loft then installation should be straight forward. In fact, with an easy access loft you could even do it yourself.

Rolls of mineral wool insulation can be used, with the first layer laid between the joists and a second layer at right angles to cover the joists. You just have to ensure the insulation meets the required depth (270mm) and you can do it yourself if you feel as if you’re a competent DIY-er.

Storage or living space

If you are considering using your loft as a storage space or living area later down the line then you’ll require boards to cover the joists. Also consider insulating the roof of the loft rather than the floor with rigid insulation boards.

Difficult access lofts

If your loft can’t be access or access is difficult, then blown insulation may be your answer. This is done by a professional and a fire-retardant material is blown into the loft using specialist equipment. This will only take a few hours to complete.

Flat roofs

Flat roofs can be insulated too, preferable from above with rigid insulation on top of the weatherproofing layer.

Insulating flat roofs is always best done when replacing the rooftop completely, but then again it’ll need doing to comply with Building Regulations.

You can consider insulating a flat roof from underneath but condensation issues can arise if it’s not done correctly. Just remember to use a professional for the work.

With flat roof insulation you can save around £190 each year and 88kg of carbon.

Damp lofts

As insulation prevents heat from entering the loft, this space will become much cooler. As such it’s crucial to have any damp problems dealt with before insulation is put in. If you’re worried about damp, then always have a professional come out to look at the situation.

Pipes, water tank and loft hatch

When you insulate your loft, don’t neglect the pipes and water tank. With insulation, the pipes in your loft could be more likely to freeze, so they’ll require insulation too. Draughts may be present by the loft hatch too, so think about purchasing a draught-excluder to deal with the problem.

Tom

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