Insulation is one of the most effective ways to reduce heat loss and lower energy bills. UK homes lose large amounts of heat through their walls, lofts and roofs, and ECO4 funding helps address this by installing the right type of insulation for your property.
Wall Insulation
Homes have either cavity walls or solid walls, depending on their age and construction:
- Cavity Wall Insulation Most homes built after 1945 have a gap between the inner and outer walls. This cavity will be filled with insulating material—often polystyrene beads or mineral fibre—through small drill holes made in the outside brickwork. Once filled, heat loss through the walls is significantly reduced.
- Solid Wall Insulation (Internal or External) Older properties built with solid brick or stone walls lose even more heat. Insulation boards or quilted insulation are added either inside the home (IWI) or on the exterior (EWI), then finished with plasterboard or a weatherproof render. This creates a continuous thermal barrier and can dramatically improve warmth.
Loft & Roof Insulation
- Loft Insulation Around a quarter of a home’s heat can escape through an uninsulated roof. Loft insulation is installed to a depth of around 300mm, forming a thick thermal blanket that slows heat escaping upwards.
- Room-in-Roof Insulation If your loft has been converted into a living space, insulation is fitted behind the sloping ceilings and walls. Boards or rigid panels are installed and finished with plasterboard to create a smooth, warm surface.
- Flat Roof Insulation Flat roofs can be insulated by fixing rigid insulation boards externally and sealing them to keep the area warm and weatherproof.
Ventilation & Moisture Control
Before any insulation is installed, a ventilation survey checks whether your home has enough airflow to stay healthy.
Proper ventilation is essential to prevent condensation, damp, and mould—especially once a home is made more airtight through insulation improvements. [link to ventilation page]
