FEATURE: HEATING & INSULATION
PREPARING FOR WINTER: HOW TO SAVE ENERGY WITH EXTERNAL WALL INSULATION
With energy bills expected to rise an average of £1,600 per year for 24 million households, Chris Ross, Director of building material specialists, Direct Building Products, advises that homeowners should render the outside of their property with external wall insulation (EWI) ahead of the colder months, which can save up to £650 in annual energy costs.
T
he Ofgem price cap is currently forecast to fall to £2,000 in October 2023 and is expected to remain at this level until the
second half of 2024. While this is lower than current prices, this is still a significant increase compared to pre- 2022 levels. Here, Chris Ross, Director of building material specialists, Direct Building Products, offers expert advise on why homeowners should render the outside of their property with EWI ready for winter.
What is external wall insulation? External wall insulation involves applying an insulating material like expanding polystyrene (EPS) or mineral wool to the exterior walls of your home, which is then protected by a render coating made from a mix of sharp sand, cement and sometimes a little lime for flexibility.
The EWI is able to create a barrier which is attached to the outside of your walls that prevents heat from escaping from your home, meaning that you won’t need to increase your heating or thermostat to keep warm. This will help to save on energy or heating bills as the weather turns
colder as we leave summer. A large portion of the UK housing stock consists of poorly insulated properties, with all houses built before 1990 and 75% of houses built before 2010 being inefficient, producing large amounts of CO2 while costing more each year to heat.
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www.diyweek.net
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For more information, visit
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How much money can be saved? The amount of money homeowners can save on energy bills depends on the type of their property and its size. Some common examples are as follows: Detached house (four bedrooms) - £650 saved per year, 1,500kg CO2 savings per year.
Semi-detached house (three
bedrooms) - £390 saved per year, 910kg CO2 savings per year.
Mid-terrace house (three
bedrooms) - £245 saved per year, 580kg CO2 savings per year.
bedrooms) - £260 saved per year, 610kg CO2 savings per year.
Detached bungalow (two
Mid-floor flat (two bedrooms) - £195 saved per year, 450kg CO2 savings per year. Around one-third of homes in the UK can improve their energy efficiency using external wall insulation with an estimated 45% reduction in heat loss through walls. However, before considering EWI, you should determine the type of walls your property uses. For example, if your home was built in the last 10 years or so, your property most likely utilises cavity walls that already have insulation properties.
On the other hand, if your home was built before the 1990s or even a century old, then your property is most likely built with solid walls that are more likely to allow heat from escaping and increasing your energy bills.
Can external wall insulation increase property value? As the energy crisis continues to affect household bills, energy- efficient homes are a top priority for buyers and renters. External wall insulation is able to improve the Energy Performance of your property and can increase your home’s value by £5,000. EWI will also affect the curb appeal of your home with an uplift of £3,000 as it significantly improves the appearance of your property, accommodating various architectural styles from Victorian to Edwardian builds.
Are there other benefits of EWI? Other benefits include the reduction of condensation and minimising the risk of dampness, mould and mildew. It can improves weather proofing and soundproofing of your home and also provide your home’s walls with a longer lifespan.
For more information on the benefits of external wall insulation and other building products, please visit www.
directbuildingproducts.co.uk
AUGUST 2023 DIY WEEK 11
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