The UK is known for its cold, damp, and unpredictable winters, meaning our heating systems are often in overdrive and our energy bills begin to soar.
One of the most effective ways of combatting these seasonal costs and keeping your home more comfortable year-round is by installing insulation. Not only does insulation improve energy efficiency and lower bills, but it also provides a range of health benefits that a lot of homeowners are unaware of.
Read on to learn more about the different types of insulation you can choose from, the health benefits of a well-insulated home, and how you can lean on government funding schemes to help your family stay warm in the winter.
What are the insulation options available?
To understand the implications insulation could have on your home, your health and your bills, it is important to have a grasp on the different insulation options that are available. These variations are all dependant on the structural make-up of your house, your budget (or the funding available to you), and your individual requirements.
The most common types of insulation are:
Cavity Wall insulation
Cavity Wall insulation (CWI) involves filling the void (or cavity) between the inner and outer walls of a property. This is done by injecting fibre or beads into the cavity, filling the space that lets heat escape from within your home. CWI is estimated to save households up to £400 per year, and can stop 33% of a home’s heat from leaving through the walls.
External Wall insulation
External Wall insulation (EWI) is designed for use on older houses, typically built before the 1920s, with solid walls that don’t have a cavity to fill with insulation. EWI involves adding a cladding to the external walls of a house, preventing up to 35% of heat loss.
Loft insulation
Loft insulation is essentially a thick blanket that prevents warmth from escaping through the roof as the internal heat rises, saving homeowners up to £380 a year on their bills. This is a common measure taken across homes in the UK, with quick and convenient solutions made possible by easily accessible lofts.
What are the health benefits of insulation?
In addition to substantial energy savings, insulating your home from cold, damp conditions offers a variety of health benefits that should not be overlooked. Better heart function and circulation, reduced risk of respiratory problems, and even improved mental health are just some of the many health-related upsides of a warm home. In turn, these health improvements also help to ease the burden on the NHS, with an estimated £1.5 billion spent annually to combat the effects of living in cold homes.
Here are some of the more commonly seen health benefits that result from well-insulated houses:
Reduced risk of respiratory problems
Well-insulated homes help to maintain a comfortable, warm environment that can promote better respiratory health, reducing the risk of conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and COPD. Warm homes also prevent the growth of mould, which eases allergies and respiratory symptoms.
Prevention of cold-related illnesses
Keeping your home at a comfortable temperature helps to lower the risk of cold-related illnesses like hypothermia, flu and common colds. This is particularly important for vulnerable groups such as young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.
Improved heart function and circulation
Cold temperatures can cause blood vessels to constrict, making blood circulation harder, so a well-insulated home can support better cardiovascular health by reducing the strain on your heart. A comfortable, stable temperature reduces the risk of heart-related issues, particularly for people with preexisting conditions such as high blood pressure or heart disease.
What role can pharmacies play in this?
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) are the UK’s leading authority when it comes to advising and supporting local pharmacies, the NHS, and their patrons. One of the main aims of the NPA is to increase awareness of the ways in which local pharmacies can support the health of the nation, as well as reducing the strain on the NHS for the benefit of all who use it. Through improved clarity on the benefits of warmer homes, the NPA hopes to ease the burden on the NHS of preventable health concerns and conditions.
How to get funding for insulation
Having insulation installed in your home is not a solution many people can afford, however there are various government-backed funding schemes available to make it more accessible for lower-income households.
ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation)
The ECO4 Scheme is a government-backed scheme for low-income households who cannot afford to upgrade their homes with insulation or a more efficient heating system.
Eligibility for ECO4 is based around the household receiving government benefits such as Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Universal Credit, Income Support and Child Tax Credits.
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
GBIS is a government scheme designed to warm up homes and bring down energy bills for more people. It runs alongside the current ECO4 scheme and will mostly cover installing single insulation measures such as loft and cavity wall insulation.
GBIS is open to households that aren’t eligible for ECO4 to help them benefit from free or discounted energy saving measures such as insulation. It could also cover upgrading home heating systems.
What next?
With over 40 years’ experience as market leaders in home insulation services, InstaGroup are well-equipped to manage end-to-end home insulation projects, taking the strain off you and ensuring every step of the process is completed to a professional standard.
We’re always happy to see if we could help you access funding to warm up your home and reduce your energy bills. Get in touch with our friendly team to ask about funding for insulation.
