If you have an older property with solid walls you will be losing even more heat than if you had cavity walls. The good news is that there are insulation solutions designed for properties like yours. The most common is EWI (external wall insulation), a professional solution that involves fixing a layer of insulation material to the wall, then covering it with reinforcement and a special type of render.
An alternative method is IWI (internal wall insulation) which is a process of dry lining the walls and filling with insulation materials before boarding over. Savings of up to £425p.a.
Could be achieved through the addition of solid wall insulation (Energy Saving Trust). Replacing an old boiler is of course a big investment, but if you are upgrading from an old inefficient model it could come with big savings. Modern boilers are more efficient for several reasons, but their main advantage is that they are all condensing boilers which recover more heat, send cooler gases up the flue and are more efficient. The table below from the Energy Saving Trust shows some of the potential savings on offer, depending on the rating of your old boiler. If you don’t currently have a gas connection have a look.
Arbed is an energy performance investment programme, where Willmott Dixon Energy Services works with the Welsh Government to improve energy efficiency of homes across Wales. This project involved installing a range of energy measures to 81 properties in Nantlle, a small village on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park, over a 22 week period in 2013. We contacted each householder in the village about Arbed, and surveyed interested properties, making work recommendations and explaining the cost involved and the likely energy savings. Energy efficiency measures The scope of the works included:.
New central heating systems. Boiler replacements. New ventilation systems. External wall insulation. Cavity wall insulation. Loft insulation.
Cavity Wall Insulation
Draught proofing Energy costs in the village were high as it was not connected to the mains gas supply and had relied on fuel oil. We worked with the regional gas network to extend the gas main by 3.6km. This slashed the cost of energy bills directly, and they were further reduced thanks to the energy efficiency measures. Community engagement Residents were able to remain in their properties during the works and we ensured minimal disruption to them and their families. The community centre is a Grade 2-listed building and we installed a new gas central heating system as part of the work.
Cavity Wall Insulation Beads
We employed local suppliers, and held a ’meet the buyers’ event to engage and encourage local SMEs. We took on two apprentice plumbers and offered work experience placements.