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Insulating the UK’s eight million solid walled homes has the potential to cut energy bills by 30 per cent in some homes, according to new research led by Leeds Beckett University.
Leeds Beckett University writes:
The research was carried out by the Leeds Sustainability Institute (LSI) at Leeds Beckett University in collaboration with University of Salford and Loughborough University. The researchers found that, although solid wall insulation is expensive and can be tricky to install safely and effectively, it can bring many benefits to homes. These include: being cheaper to run, feeling warmer in winter and cooler in summer, having better air quality, and having less chance of condensation occurring.
Professor David Glew, Director of the LSI at Leeds Beckett University, said: ‘Our research is done in real homes – so we understand how buildings perform in the real world, not just in labs and models. Solid walled homes are among the least energy efficient – occupants are more likely to be in fuel poverty, and condensation, damp and mould problems can be common. Solid walled homes tend to have Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) lower than Band C – the Government’s Clean Growth Strategy aims for as many homes as possible to attain an EPC rating of Band C by 2035. Our research found that insulating the solid walls of a home can achieve EPC Band C and could save up to 30 per cent per year for some homes on their energy bills. It was by far the single most effective retrofit measure for solid walled homes – other types of retrofit couldn’t achieve the required improvement – and so this will be essential for tackling fuel poverty. At the moment, only 7% of all retrofits taking place under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) – the Government’s fuel poverty policy – are delivering solid wall insulation, since they are so costly and difficult to install. So, we hope this research can help shine a light on how important solid wall insulation is for the nation.’ Read more….
