How much energy does Wall Insulation save?
What is wall insulation?
Wall insulation encompasses any type of insulation material that is placed within walls or attached to them. The main function of wall insulation is to increase climate efficiency by making it easier to control the temperature of the room.
What are the different types of Wall Insulation?
There are many different types of insulation which provide various solutions within construction.
Fire Panels are a fire-retardant product that can double up as an efficient drylining solution. These gypsum-based boards offer up to one hour’s fire resistance with just a single layer per side of a partition (or two-hour resistance with a double layer application), allowing valuable time to evacuate your loved ones in the event of a fire.
Moisture Panels are a high-performance plasterboard, for use in internal areas of high humidity. It has tapered edges to assist in jointing and skimming. This product would generally be used in bathrooms, utility rooms or kitchens.
Sound Protection or Reduction Panels offer enhanced acoustic performance, as well as excellent fire resistance (offering up to 120 minutes of fire protection). This product creates a calm and private space, making it suitable for bedrooms, meeting rooms and offices.
Vapour Panels are a laminated Plasterboard and are resistant to vapour. They feature a metallised polyester foil laminate on the grey paper face, creating an effective vapour barrier. This kind of product would also be ideal for applications where the limiting of sound transfer is a factor.
What is the best Wall Insulation?
Choosing the right Wall Insulation for the job depends a lot on the type of wall that you are trying to insulate. A bit of research will be required when searching for the best solution for your home.
Rigid foam boards (cavity wall insulation) are considered better insulators than others. They are thinner so take up less space and can incorporate a vapour barrier or sound shield. Mineral wools (acoustic roll and loft roll) are a popular choice and generally are available as ‘quilts’ in rolls.
How much energy does Wall Insulation save?
Energy bills are on the rise again and we are now all scrambling to find ways to save money on energy costs but still keep our homes warm and comfortable for our loved ones. A lack of insulation results in heat loss which causes more energy use. This equals a higher expenditure and more of your money being wasted in a fight to heat your home.
A property that is not efficiently insulated will lose around 25% of its heat just through the roof! It’s difficult to give an accurate figure of the energy saved through proper insulation. However, the Energy Saving Trust have commented that on average, a semi-detached house could be saving up to £140 per year just by installing loft insulation. This then increases to £240 per year for a detached house.
How to insulate internal walls
Internal wall insulation can generally be installed in three ways. You can fix insulation directly to the wall with specifically designed products that have insulation bonded to plasterboard with a vapour barrier. This method is effective if the wall is flat and in good condition.
Another option is to batten the walls. You can either fix battens to the walls to provide a more even fixing for the insulation or you can fix the battens over the insulation. The first method is the most common and is the best option if the wall is uneven. However, this will mean that the insulation is rigid and screwed into the battens which could lead to perforations in the vapour barrier.
The third option involves the construction of a new stud wall. This option will take up more floor space than the others but is also effective.
Save energy, cut your heating bill and reduce your carbon footprint!