Why should you Insulate Cavity Walls?
Saving money on your heating bills is as easy as taking steps for cavity wall insulation. It will also reduce your CO2 emissions through energy source consumption. While it needs initial capital outlay, the savings on annual energy bills andCO2 emissions makes it worth the time, money and effort.
Domestic dwellings are the reason for 27% of the carbon dioxide emissions in developed countries. A property’s walls lose more heat than anywhere else within it, which requires cavity wall insulation to reduce energy consumption. Typically, a large, non-attached house can save around 40% of its energy bill by using cavity wall insulation.
Installing Cavity Wall Insulation
To install cavity wall insulation, your property must have two masonry brick or block walls, with minimum 50mm of space between them. Homes built between 1930 and 1995 are the most commonly requiring cavity wall insulation. If your home was built before this period, the property probably has solid walls. If it was built later, insulation is most likely included within the walls.
Many Irish dwellings have cavity walls that could be filled. You can find out if you too have cavity walls by measuring your walls at a door or window for thickness. If the walls are solid, the measurement will be around 23 cm thick, while if a cavity exists, the wall will be around 30 cm thick. You can also contact the SEI or us at King Group CES, in which case we will help you find a local installer to survey your property in this regard.
Government grants
The government’s arm on Sustainable Energy SEI awards grants for cavity wall insulation to offset a reasonable cost for the complete works. Generally for most eligible home owners, the grants are approved to cover 40% to 75% of the cost.
What are the materials used for cavity wall insulation?
Standard materials used for this purpose include:
- Mineral wool, spun from glass or rock
- Urea formaldehyde foam
- Expanded polystyrene beads
An eco-friendly alternative includes proprietary brands, made from recycled newspaper and holding a lower carbon footprint as well.