While home insulation is always a great investment for any property, not every property is eligible to receive it. From being the wrong kind of build of property to being a new build already sufficiently insulated, it is worthwhile checking your property’s eligibility before enquiring about the necessary works.

There is a wide range of different grants and allowances in place for residents and properties. These grants and different schemes provide free or subsidised insulation for the property in question. Furthermore, when selling a property, properly installed insulation will improve your property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and Energy Efficiency Rating.

Under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) Scheme set up by the UK government in 2013, replacing the Carbon Emissions Reductions Target (CERT) Scheme and the Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP), energy suppliers have an obligation to install technologies that are deemed energy efficient.

This includes all nature of cavity wall and home insulation and is very much applicable to almost every household in the UK subject to a few fairly basic eligibility criteria.

What Materials are used for Home Insulation?
While properties built after 1920 have the desired cavity between the internal and external portions of the property’s walls (interior and exterior), cavity wall insulation is not the only insulation solution available. It is one of many and there are many others out there.

Cavity Wall Insulation
Cavity wall insulation is generally the most expensive insulation option available, but it is a very good way to insulate an eligible property or abode. It is performed by the installer drilling a number of strategical holes in the exterior walls of the property. They then pump in the insulating material to fill the cavity between the portions of the walls. The material used tends to be one of the following:

• Wool – Cheap and easy to install, although a bit out dated
• Polystyrene Beads – More expensive than wool, but fills even the smallest gaps and cavities
• Foam – Require much smaller holes and so is a less intrusive method and modern day versions are very efficient insulators

Loft Insulation

As heat rises, loft insulation is a really effective way to prevent heat loss through your property’s roof and highest walls. Properties tend to lose in the region of 25% of their heat via the loft and roof. However, it is expensive to install and requires a slightly lengthier application for a grant. Loft insulation though typically uses the following materials:

• Blanket Insulation – This is the most commonly used type of insulation material for lofts. Normally made from glass wool, encapsulated in a type of foil, this provides very effective insulation
• Wool Insulation – This comes in rolls and can be compressed much more than blanket insulation, allowing use in tighter spaces. Wool insulation, made from mineral wool is also a very effective fire retardant, being resistant to fire and heat
• Sheet Insulation – These are sheets of specially made material for loft insulation. They are bit more expensive than other methods, but are a very effective insulation measure
• Foam Insulation – As with cavity wall insulation, foam is a very good way to fill the gaps needed for loft insulation. Foam also has the advantage that it expands and forms a tight seal and very good insulation

Is Home Insulation Suitable for my Property?
Insulating your home or property for free, as part of the ECO Scheme requires the following eligibility criteria:

• You must own the property in question or as a private tenant; have the permission of your landlord
• For cavity wall insulation, the property must have been built after 1920
• For loft insulation, you must complete a short survey to apply for the grant

All in all though, with good quality, efficient insulation solutions able to save you as much as £300 per year on energy bills, it is something certainly worth considering. It will also make your property a more appealing prospect to potential buyers, as the property will not only save money in bills but will keep occupants and/ or tenants comfortable and happy.