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Keeping Houses Insulated

Posted : 11/05/2015 | By Alan Ciles

Due to new energy efficiency regulations coming into place in 2018, landlords of draughty and inefficient homes will be banned from renting them out. Therefore it is important to ensure your rental properties are sufficiently insulated. Here are some tips to help you pass the upcoming regulations.



Loft Insulation
Even if your property already has loft insulation it's worth checking out the thickness. Originally, many years ago, the recommended thickness was 100mm, which then increased to 200mm and the current recommended thickness is 270mm. If the existing insulation is already filled between the joists then simply lay the “top-up” insulation at right angles to cover the joists.

Don’t forget to insulate and draught proof the loft hatch, and also insulate the cold water tank and any pipes in the loft, as the air will now be colder in the roof space.

Cavity wall insulation
Around a third of the heat lost in the home escapes through the walls. If your property was built after 1920 it will most likely have a cavity. Most homes built after 1990 will have been built with the cavity insulated. If your property was built prior to 1990 it most probably has an open cavity that should now be insulated.

Cavity insulation is not something that can be done yourself or by a builder. It needs to be carried out by a reputable installer, who can also check whether the property has already been insulated or not.

Draught proofing
One of the most efficient and value-for-money ways of improving the efficiency of your property is to block up any gaps that allow draughts.

You may find draughts at any gap in your home that leads outside, such as:
●    windows
●    doors – including letterboxes
●    loft hatches
●    electrical fixtures
●    floorboards
●    pipework leading to outside
●    joints between ceilings and walls

Draughts can be banished by using draught excluder strips, brush or wiper strips for windows and doors, decorators caulk and flexible fillers for cracks around door and window frames and between skirtings and floorboards. Silicone or other suitable flexible fillers should be used for exterior problems.