Roof Insulation
25% of the heat generated in your house could be going through the roof! Roof insulation is one of the most cost efficient ways of reducing your heating and cooling bills and is also easy to install. The ideal thickness of roof insulation is about 200mm (8 inches), so if the insulation in your roof is less than this then you should top it up. Roof insulation can be installed by anyone reasonably competent at DIY (do it yourself). Lay the insulation between the joists where possible, and then at right angles to the first layer when it reaches the top of the joists (most joists will be less than 4″ high). Make sure the man-hole is also insulated.
Cavity Insulation
Cavity wall insulation is one of the most cost effective ways of reducing cool and heat loss in your home. Up to 35% of heat can be lost through the walls of your home. Cavity wall insulation is a simple solution which can reduce heat loss in your walls by up to 60%. This could save you up to $350 per year on a your heating and cooling bills, if your home is currently poorly insulated. The cost of installing cavity wall insulation should be recovered within 5 years from the savings in your heating bills.
You first need to check that your walls are suitable for cavity wall insulation. Cavity walls are at least 12 inches (30cm) thick and comprise an outer and inner wall separated by a air gap. If you are unsure then contact a cavity wall specialist. It’s well worth checking to see if you are eligible for a grant. Government grants may be available to help pay the cost of installing cavity wall insulation.