People can save more than £50 a year by making sure their loft is properly insulated, experts have said.
According to Energy Saving Trust, as much as a quarter of heat is lost through the roof of a poorly or uninsulated home, making this a key area to look after to help reduce energy bills.
Dean Taylor, insulation expert and the founder of The Loft Boys, shared some tips on how people can keep their loft – and home – warm during the colder months.
Install adequate insulation in the loft
Installing “adequate” insulation in the loft is important to conceal heat, and this is determined by how thick it is.
Mr Taylor said: “Many people simply don’t know what is going on in their loft, and whether or not they have any insulation.
“Good insulation will keep your house warm in winter and keep it cool during summer, and roughly speaking, you’ll want to check you have around 30cm’s worth of insulation installed.”
Check loft insulation is installed properly
Secondly, Mr Taylor suggested checking the loft insulation has been “properly” installed.
He said: “Your insulation should cover the whole floor space of your loft and should have two layers for optimal thermal efficiency. Most companies will offer free no-obligation surveys to assess your insulation.”
Install a draught-proof seal around the edge of the loft hatch
Those suffering from a draughty loft hatch can also thankfully benefit from a “simple and cheap fix”, according to Mr Taylor.
He explained: “Use a simple rubber ‘P’ seal applied to the loft hatch door stop – a roll of this will only set you back about £6 on Amazon.”
Use foil insulation on the back of the loft hatch
According to Mr Taylor, using foil insulation can help secure the loft hatch even further.
He said: “The double-layered insulation foil you need can be purchased for under £20 and is easy enough to fit yourself.”
If you’ve got a tank in your loft, get a jacket on it
Finally, Mr Taylor suggested: “If you have a water tank, heater or other water pipes, you should have an insulated jacket – known in the trade as lagging – on them to keep them warm.”
According to Energy Saving Trust, the insulated jacket should be at least 80mm thick and using one could help people save around £50 a year.
