Cut your energy bills
Confused.com experts weigh in on tackling your lofty energy bills
If you’re making your annual trip to the loft to grab your Christmas decorations, it could also be the perfect time to check your home is prepped for upcoming weeks of winter cold.
The energy price cap is due yet another rise from January 1st. So, experts at Confused.com energy are cautioning Brits on the warning signs that their lofts may be losing heat - and bleeding their wallets.
Why is insulating your loft important?
Confused.com Energy’s experts commented: “About a quarter of your home’s warmth can escape through an uninsulated roof1. This means your boiler works overtime to keep your home warm, and increases your energy bills as a result. Installing insulation in a roof that doesn’t already have any can save you as much as £455 a year according to the Energy Saving Trust2. At a cost of £550 to £9603, you could be making your money back on your insulation in around two years.
Poor insulation can also lead to more serious issues that could be more expensive in the long-term. The lack of heat in your loft can lead to a build-up of moisture, which in turn gives way to rot. This, as well as issues with damp and mould, can cause structural problems that could be more expensive to fix down the line.”
Five warning signs you need to fix your insulation
1. Poor condition
Measuring the depth of your insulation is a quick way to find out whether it’s serviceable. Use a ruler or tape measure to find out the thickness of your insulation, down from the top to the floor or joists. If your insulation is thinner than 270mm, then consider topping it up. Check the depth in several locations to make sure the thickness is consistently above 270mm, as your insulation can erode differently across one room.
Additionally, check to see if parts of your insulation have become flatter. Wool insulation should have a fluffy texture which reduces over time: flatter insulation will not retain heat as well, and should be replaced.
2. Inconsistent room temperatures
Poor loft insulation can lead to uneven temperatures in different rooms of your house, especially those on higher floors. If you find that, this winter, you’re suddenly struggling to keep a balanced temperature across your home, it’s likely time to top-up your loft insulation.
3. It’s been a while since you refreshed your insulation
If it’s been over a decade since you last topped up - or first installed your insulation, then it might be time to look into its condition. Typically, insulation is effective for 15-20 years before it’s in need of replacement.
However, it’s worth bearing in mind that insulation installed from more than 20 years ago wasn’t as high standard as today’s insulation. So if it’s been over two decades since you last refreshed your loft’s insulation, it might be time to take a look at it. Updating it ahead of 2025 could cut down your energy bill over the next several years.
4. Your loft is dirtier
A sudden build up in dirt and dust is a huge indicator that you would benefit from refreshed insulation. Dustier insulation is natural as it ages, but it can be evidence of increased air flow from the outside world. This can make heating your home much more difficult.
In more extreme cases, you might find droppings left by rats or mice. A buildup of moisture can make your loft more hospitable to pests, and put your home at risk of infestation.
5. Rising energy bills
As the energy price cap has increased, most of the public have experienced rising bills in the last few years. But using the central heating in a draughty home will further increase how much you spend on energy. So if the price cap isn’t the reason for higher bills, it could be that your boiler is working overtime to keep your home warm.
Investigating the loft, and other insulation in your home, may help you find the source of cold concerns.
2https://www.uswitch.com/gas-
3https://www.mybuilder.com/
