It’s not news to anyone that energy prices are going up. The current economic issues and the cost-of-living crisis are a big concern for many, particularly when it comes to heating their homes. For the next two years, it’s expected that a typical household could be paying a staggering £2,500 for energy every year. The government has offered various suggestions on how to reduce bills, from using an air fryer instead of an oven switching all your home lights to LEDs. Millions are trying their best to change their thinking and lifestyle in order to save money on energy, but even if you put all that effort into reducing consumption, there may be a major factor that’s causing you to lose the heat you already have – poor insulation. It’s estimated that households that work to insulate their homes could save an average of £555 on their yearly energy bills.
What is insulation? Insulation is the process of putting measures in place to trap heat inside a property. It typically involves the covering of exposed areas such as roofs, walls, and floors. Without good insulation, a home can lost up to 45 per cent of their heat meaning that indoor temperatures are very difficult to maintain. This means you could spend a lot of money turning the heating on only for it to quickly disappear through the poorly insulated areas of your home.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to improve the energy efficiency of your home, especially in the area of insulation. There is a great deal of different materials available, such as those supplied by Materials Market, that can optimise the thermal comfort inside a building while also reducing the risk of fire and cutting down energy costs. With all these benefits, it seems like the logical thing to do, to invest in some insulation! We will consider a few of the available materials that are in use in the construction industry today so that you can make an informed decision on the best one to use for your property, whether it’s commercial, residential, or industrial. Let’s get started!
- Fiberglass
Most people, when they think of insulation, will think of the material fibreglass. This is because it is the most commonly used insulation material in the construction industry today. It is created by mixing recycled glass, soda ash, limestone, sand, and other elements over a source of heat until they become molten. The liquid mixture is then spun and woven, like strings of wall, until it becomes thin strands of glass. These threads are they used to produce fibreglass which can be used to insulate boards and ducts and other things. This kind of insulation doesn’t soak up moisture or catch fire, meaning it is very safe to use in various construction settings. Due to its flexibility and versatility, it can be used even in small areas that have a big impact on a building’s efficiency, such as attics, basements, and small crawl spaces.
- Cellulose.
Cellulose is made from recycled paper products meaning beside being one the best insulating materials, it is also one of the most environmentally friendly materials too. The raw ingredients of cellulose are broken down into very small pieces and then fiberized into a material that can be blown to fit into the tightest of areas within a building. Attics, walls, and ceilings can all be insulated with this versatile material. Due to its low oxygen quality, it is also a great fire-resistant, even preventative, material. By adding mineral borate and ammonium sulphate, the already sturdy material can be made even more fire resistant, while also making it resistant to insects and bugs at the same time.
- Polyurethane.
One of the “poly’s”, polyurethane is very useful in filling cracks and other spaces with insulation to limit the energy lost in a building. Various chemicals are mixed to make a foam that can be applied with a spray gun. While it is more expensive to install, it is a highly efficient material that prevents heat loss in many ways. It can stop heat being lost through conduction, ration and convection meaning it is a great insulator, despite the expense.
- Polystyrene.
The next “poly”, polystyrene, is more than just a packing material for your online orders. It is a thermoplastic form that can provide excellent insulation for both heat and noise too. There is no other insulation material that can achieve the smooth finish that polystyrene insulation can, with its benefits being felt in both domestic and business construction projects. This material is rather firm and rigid, meaning it can be formed into brick shaped blocks that can then be used as wall insulation.
- Mineral wool.
Mineral wool can be used to create two main kinds of insulation. The first is rock wool, a synthetic textile that is generated using natural components, like the element basalt. The second type of mineral wool is slag wool, a fibre created used the waste products that come from steel mills. Due to the nature of the natural material, there is no need to add any other elements to make the insulation resistant to fire. This is a recycled, eco-friendly material that can be used in various construction projects to fill various insulation needs.
You Need Insulation!
UK homes are some the least energy efficient in the whole of Europe, due to the fact that so many buildings are old as opposed to new and modern. Out of 29.3 million properties in the UK, 36 per cent were constructed before World War Two. Evidently, there is a need to fill – more specifically, there are cavities, hollow walls, and empty attics to fill with insulation! With a little more knowledge and research, some time and effort, it is possible to make wise, future-proof decisions about the insulation of your property. Use the tools and advice available and look into the financial support options that may be able to fund the changes you need to make.
