Will I Benefit from Extra Loft Insulation?

By: Kelly Fenn - Updated: 27 Aug 2014 | *Discuss

 

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Q.

I already have the recommended depth of loft insulation in my home, if I fit another 270mm on top of the exsisting insulation will I still benefit in terms of savings and heat retention?

A.

Firstly, it's great news that you already have 270mm of insulation in your loft – which means you're already saving energy and money on your heating bills. A quarter of the heat used to warm up your home is lost through the loft, and 270mm is the minimum depth of insulation recommended by the government and the building industry to combat this. All new house builds now have this amount of insulation built into loft areas as a minimum, in line with industry standards. According to the Energy Saving Trust, this will save one tonne of carbon dioxide a year, or £205 in heating costs for your home.

270mm - 300mm is the optimum depth for loft insulation, and adding another 270mm on top on the insulation you already have would not double the effectiveness of the insulation. Given that your roof is already well insulated, you might find that the money you would spend on increasing your insulation - installing insulation usually costs in the region of £200, depending on the size of your loft - would be better spent on identifying other areas of your home where you could make an energy saving improvement.

For example, you could consider insulating your walls, through which your home also loses heat. The process of cavity wall insulation costs around £250 but pays for itself in less than two years when you take into account the further savings you’ll make on your energy bills. Plus it’s great for the environment too. Contact your local authority to see if they may be able to assist with the upfront cost with an energy efficiency grant.

Alternatively, you could consider some other energy saving measures. Why not look into:

• Installing double glazing around your home
• Replacing a boiler over 15 years old with an energy efficient model
• Draught proofing your home’s doors, windows and draughty areas
• Insulating your floor – this involves sealing gaps and draughts between floorboards and skirting boards, and laying mineral wood insulation beneath the floorboards

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