Insulating Home

How Does Insulation Help Cut Energy Bills? Is that worth doing insulation. Any had it before? Hoe much it costs exactly? Is that too expensive..?

 

@amyjones329
Might be better off posting these questions on a DIY forum, but drop the first one.
Personally my answers
Q1)Second law of thermodynamics; heat passes from a hotter body to a cooler body. Heat costs money, insulation slows down movement of heat, so QED you need less heat = less expenditure.
Q2) Yes,
Q3) Yes
Q4) Really cannot remember.
Q5) No or I wouldn't have had it done.

 

So many variables as each property is different.

You also have to factor in if your are intending to stay in the property for long enough to benefit from cost of insulation vs the energy savings.

Also check with your council /gov etc if they offer any free or reduced cost insulation schemes like loft or cavity wall insulation or heating boilers etc.

As @NigelJ says perhaps look around at a more relevant uk forum like DIYNOT who has a good forum with guides including one on Insulation.
DIYnot

 

I recently read a blog regarding (removed) such as cavity wall, loft insulation and solid wall insulation..Is that completely free...Anyone have any idea?

 

Again , so many factors, what the .gov or your local council are offering in subsidies, what if any benefits you may be on and the type and construction of your house.

Regarding cavity wall insulation, should do a lot of research on that, as remember recently reading about homes with problems/damp/condensation due to incorrect installation etc.

Seem too much insulation and too little correct ventilation can lead to condensation and damp problems, be it the walls or loft.

 

We also have suspended wooden floors, wondered what method of insulation you are going to use on yours, but so far have just gone with a good underlay and carpet , though only on about half of the floor area. Do have space to get under our floor without taking it all up.

 

My philosophy is to keep it simple.

Top priority is to make sure the building is sound. Roof is good, doors and windows all good etc. That's obviously really so I won't labour it.

After that, I think about how can I make the place more efficient while also getting the best return on investment. That doesn't necessarily mean financial return, but more return in terms of enjoyment.

With that in mind, some of the things I've done include fitting nice heavy curtains whereas before we just had blinds. This alone made a very noticeable difference to the warmth in the rooms but also it's more cosy. A heavy curtain over the door into the living room had a similar noticeable effect. Then there's carpets, not neglecting the underlay, soft furnishings etc, all make a difference.

I don't believe in spending money just because everyone says you should. Loft insulation is important but over the time we've been here, the recommended minimum thickness has changed a few times and ours is not up to date. Yet the house is not cold and out heating costs are below average, and that's despite using electric heating. Cavity wall insulation is another one that's being pushed. I'm sure it's great in some circumstances, but in some builds it can actually be detrimental apparently.

Look for the inefficiencies, and address them specifically, rather than throwing money until something sticks.

 

I did notice a big difference with cavity wall insulation, but that seems to have worn off.
You tend to get used to how things are and anything new makes a difference which lasts obviously, but you tend to stop noticing it.

 

What is a suspended floor please?

 

In houses its a wooden boarded floor suspended on joists, (wooden beams).
There is usually a gap underneath with air flow from outside.

 

Oh dear. Outdoor air circulating underneath is not a good thing in the winter! That is what a lot of our seasonal cottages have. Open underneath so only used from about the end of April through Thanksgiving.

My tile floors on the main level (kitchen,bath,foyer) are quite chilly in spite of the fact that my cellar is sealed to the outside and has insulation going down the cement walls to 3 feet below grade to reach the frost line. The cement floor down there is cold and the bare cement walls up the first 5 feet are also cold. That cold comes up and chills my tile floors. So I have an Indian carpet (2 tpi) under the table and wear slippers.

It is nice that the wood floors don't conduct the cold. I cannot imagine just how much colder the tile would be if there wasn't a full sealed cellar underneath. Brrr!

 

I think its usual practice in modern houses to use insulation in solid concrete floors.
My house has concrete floors on the ground floor but no insulation as its too old.

 

The entire main floor has wood joisting to suspend the floor over the cellar cavity and wood sheets fitted on those joists and under the tile, wood or carpet. I am still astounded by the chill that permeates and cools the tiled areas. Although it is nice in the summer!

As a curiosity, I am fortunate that there is not one supporting post in the cellar or needed on the main floor. I could knock down the walls front to back and side to side without compromising the structure. This unusual. At least in my experience. The cellar is between 24' wide and 30' wide and about 35' long. If I didn't have so much of my familys' stuff stored down there, I'd have one helluva big set up for plants!

 

Where I used to work it was old farm buildings.
It was freezing in winter even with a big fire going in the heater, it was also like an oven in summer, just corrugated asbestos roof.

Eventually the boss got one of those spray foam companies to come in and spray the roof, the difference was amazing.