Boiler

Cavity walls

Solid walls

Double glazing

Solar panels

Loft insulation

Energy-efficient windows

Boiler replacement

Windows are one of the major channels through which a property loses heat. While improvements can be made with just hanging heavy curtains in front of windows, installing double or triple glazing will cut back on your carbon footprint and energy bills, while still letting the sunlight through.

Energy-efficient windows work on the same principle as cavity walls. A layer of air or gas trapped between two glass panes acts as a barrier to trap heat in and also to keep unpleasant street noises out. When installing the windows it is important to consider the material and performance properties of each window type. The BFRC rating of a window generally gives a good idea of its properties.

Expert’s note:
“Very high thermal performance, although providing a warmer environment in the winter, and reducing energy bills, could also cause rooms to become too hot in summer, particularly if insufficient open-able windows have been installed.

It is a requirement of Building Regulations that the replacement windows including at least the same level of ventilation as those which are being replaced. There is much more to consider when purchasing windows than energy ratings, and the consumer needs professional advice.”

Solar panels are one of the most efficient ways to cut back on both carbon emissions and energy costs. Solar panels use photovoltaic cells to capture energy stored in sunlight, even on cloudy days. This energy is converted into electricity, which can then be used to power household appliances and lighting.

While the initial installation cost for solar panels may seem steep, they quickly pay themselves back in the form of reduced electricity bills and Feed-In Tariff payments paid for the amount of electricity you generate. The Feed-In Tariff system also allows you to sell surplus electricity back into the grid. The environment also loves solar panels, as they can save over a tonne of carbon dioxide a year, adding up to 30 tonnes during the panels’ lifespan

Expert’s note:
“The price of power from the grid is always increasing. Solar fixes the rate at which your power costs increase, since you are using your own solar-generated (and free) electricity first.

There can be some issues with installing solar panels in certain homes, though. The ideal roof space would have to be unshaded and within 90 degrees of South, and there needs to be sufficient loft space for locating the solar inverters. This is why it’s important to plan the installation well beforehand with a provider.”

Solar panels

Replacing a boiler with a new A-rated one can have a tremendous impact on a home’s energy-efficiency. Boilers account for approximately 55% of annual energy spending. Upgrading a boiler will not only save money in fuel bills, but it will also significantly cut back a home’s carbon dioxide emissions.

The lifespan of a boiler is also significantly increased by installing other energy-saving solutions. Loft insulation for example will reduce the wear and tear on the boiler, further cutting back on emissions and energy costs.

Expert's note:

“A lot of times there’s holes on old boilers, especially non-condensing ones, and they become too expensive to repair. Some of the boilers we deal with are 20 to 30 years old, so it’s not practical to replace the parts and it’s cheaper to just install a new boiler.

New boilers are energy-efficient and condensing, so they usually save people about 30% on their gas bills. The old boilers used to burn at 200 degrees, now they burn at 60 degrees, very much reducing the amount of gas they use.”

Cavity wall insulation

Houses built between 1920 and 1990 are generally likely to have un-insulated cavity walls. These walls are made of two layers with air in between, designed to trap heat in and keep cold out. Adding an insulant into this cavity can save money from £105 upwards in heating annually.

Insulating your walls will not only cut your heating bills, but also reduce your carbon footprint. Decreased need for heating will further prolong the lifespan of your other appliances, such as boilers.

Expert’s note:
“To insulate cavity walls, the installer drills small holes in the outside wall of the home. The installer then blows insulation into the cavity using special equipment. Once all the insulation is in, the installer fills the holes in the brickwork and takes less than half a day to complete a 3 bedroom detached property for example.

The mineral wool used for cavity wall insulation consists of mechanically granulated spun glass or rock wool, treated with a binder or water repellent during manufacture. Once installed, mineral wool is sufficiently stable to remain an effective insulant for the life of the building.”

Solid wall insulation

Houses built before 1919 generally have solid walls. These walls are made of a single layer of material, which let more heat through.

Solid walls can be insulated, saving money in heating from £150 upwards per year, but the cost of insulation will be much more expensive than with cavity walls. The increased price is due to the more complex installation process.

Expert’s note:
“Solid Wall Insulation can be either Internal Wall Insulation or External Wall Insulation or a combination of the two known as Hybrid Insulation.

Internal wall insulation is done by fitting rigid insulation boards to the wall, or by building a stud wall filled in with insulation material such as mineral wool fibre.

External wall insulation involves fixing a layer of insulation material to the wall, then covering it with a special type of render (plasterwork) or cladding. The finish can be smooth, textured, painted, tiled, panelled, pebble-dashed, or finished with brick slips.”

Loft insulation

Heat rises upwards, and up to a quarter of heat loss in a private residence happens through the roof. Installing loft insulation is a great way to reduce heat loss and carbon footprint, while simultaneously cutting down on your energy bills.

Loft insulation will pay itself back many times over during its at least 42-year life cycle in heating costs. It will also help reduce a home’s carbon emissions by more than 100 kg a year. This will have a significant impact not only on global warming, but on the strain put on your boiler.

Expert’s note:
“The most typical loft insulation material is mineral fibre. Installing loft insulation poses no issue with solar panels. It can be removed to make room for the panels and then put back in afterwards.

It’s when you want to convert your loft into a room when the insulation may have to be rethought.”