Cavity Wall Insulation: Is it Worth it? If you’re like many homeowners, you’ve probably noticed how much your heating bills have been rising in recent years. With energy prices continuing to climb and no sign of them dropping anytime soon, it’s only natural to start thinking about ways to save money and make your home more energy-efficient.
One of the best and most cost-effective solutions we recommend is cavity wall insulation. But is it really worth it? In this post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about cavity wall insulation, from how it works to the potential savings, and even the grants available to help with the cost.
How Cavity Wall Insulation Works
Cavity walls consist of an inner wall and an outer wall with a gap (or cavity) in between. By filling that cavity with high-quality insulation materials, we can drastically reduce heat loss and keep your home warm during the winter months. Since this method is non-intrusive, it’s particularly well-suited for new builds and for homeowners who are looking to renovate and make their homes more energy-efficient.
If you’re building a new home or renovating your current one, cavity wall insulation is a must for improving energy efficiency. Unlike some companies that use injection methods, we at Cool to Be Warm Insulation install Blanket Batts and Rolls or Foam Board (also known as Rigid Foam Panels) between the two walls of your home.
Cavity Wall Insulation Explained
The process of cavity wall insulation is quick and non-intrusive, with minimal disruption to the homeowner. The installers typically drill small holes into the outer wall to inject the insulating material and then seal the holes afterward. Once the cavity wall insulation is installed, your home will retain more heat, reducing the amount of energy needed to maintain a comfortable temperature, which will, in turn, lower your energy bills.
The Benefits of Cavity Wall Insulation
1. Energy Efficiency and Heat Loss Reduction
By using Blanket Batts and Rolls or Foam Board in the cavity walls, you can greatly reduce the amount of heat loss through your outside walls. These materials offer a much higher level of insulation than leaving your walls uninsulated, and they can significantly lower your energy bills.
Installing cavity wall insulation in both the walls and the loft spaces of your home can save you as much as €300 or more annually on heating costs. Over time, this adds up to substantial savings, especially in older homes that might have been less energy-efficient to begin with.
2. Save Money on Energy Bills
With energy prices continuing to rise, it’s more important than ever to find ways to cut down on heating costs. Properly insulated homes lose less heat, meaning you’ll need to use less energy to keep your home warm. With cavity wall insulation, many of our customers find they can recoup the cost of installation within 3 to 5 years through lower heating bills.
This is especially true when you combine cavity wall insulation with upgrading your loft insulation to meet the current building regulation standard of 300mm (12 inches). Together, these energy-saving measures make your home more comfortable and efficient.
3. Long-Term Investment and SEAI Grants
Investing in cavity wall insulation is not only beneficial in the short term but also a long-term money-saving measure. Depending on the size of your property, you can recoup the cost of installing the insulation in 3 to 5 years through reduced energy usage. Plus, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) offers grants to help homeowners with the cost of cavity wall insulation, making it even more affordable.
They are offering:
- Apartment (any): €700
- Mid-Terrace: €800
- Semi-Detached or End-Terrace: €1,200
- Detached House: €1,700
At Cool to Be Warm Insulation, we guide you through the grant application process to ensure you secure the best possible financial support for your project.
4. Environmentally Friendly and Reducing Carbon Footprint
By improving your home’s energy efficiency, cavity wall insulation helps reduce your overall energy use, which in turn lowers your carbon footprint. As an energy-saving measure, it’s one of the most cost-effective ways to contribute to environmental sustainability while making your home more comfortable.
Types of Cavity Wall Insulation Material We Use
For homeowners looking to either build new homes or renovate to meet modern energy standards, we offer two main types of cavity wall insulation:
- Blanket Batts and Rolls: This type of insulation is ideal for easy installation between cavity walls. It’s made of mineral wool or fibreglass, which provides excellent thermal insulation and reduces heat loss. It also has soundproofing properties, so you’ll benefit from a quieter home as well as a warmer one.
- Foam Board (Rigid Foam Panels): Foam Board offers high thermal resistance and is great for areas where a slim profile is needed without sacrificing insulation performance. We install these boards between the inner and outer walls, ensuring that your home is properly insulated for years to come.
- Both materials are suitable for homeowners who are either building a new home or undergoing renovations to make their house more energy-efficient.
Each type of material is installed based on your home’s specific needs, ensuring that you get the best results for your external wall insulation.
Is Your Home Suitable for Cavity Wall Insulation?
Most homes built after the 1920s that have cavity walls are suitable for insulation. Whether you live in a mid-terrace, end-terrace, semi-detached, or detached house, you can benefit from this insulation. Even external walls exposed to harsh weather conditions can be effectively insulated with cavity wall insulation to prevent heat loss and dampness.
The cavity wall insulation cost will depend on the size of your home and the materials used, but the overall investment is quickly recovered through lower energy bills. Additionally, Cool to Be Warm Insulation provides professional assessments to determine the suitability of your property and whether any insulated plasterboard or double glazing might further enhance your home’s energy efficiency.
Cavity Wall Insulation Removal: When Is It Necessary?
While cavity wall insulation is generally a great investment, there are some cases where cavity wall insulation removal might be necessary. If your home is prone to damp, or if the insulation was improperly installed, it could lead to issues such as moisture buildup in the cavity or outer walls.
In such cases, cavity wall insulation removal can help resolve the issue, and the walls can then be re-insulated with the proper materials and methods to avoid future problems. At Cool to Be Warm, we assess your home thoroughly to ensure that the existing insulation is effective, and we can offer removal services if necessary.
How Much Does Cavity Wall Insulation Cost?
The cost of cavity wall insulation varies based on the size of your home, the type of insulating material used, and any additional factors such as uninsulated areas or outside walls exposed to harsh weather. However, with SEAI grants and significant energy savings, the cavity wall insulation cost is a worthwhile investment for most homeowners.
Why You Need a Registered SEAI Contractor
For cavity wall insulation to truly deliver its promised benefits, it’s crucial to have it installed by a qualified, experienced contractor. Cavity wall insulation installed improperly can lead to issues such as damp or water ingress, especially if your home is exposed to driving rain or other harsh weather conditions.
Using a registered SEAI contractor like Cool to Be Warm ensures that the job is done correctly and that you’re eligible for the SEAI grant. We use the latest special equipment and high-quality materials, ensuring that your home’s outer leaf is properly insulated without causing problems such as moisture buildup.
Make Your Home Energy Efficient
So the big questions is, Cavity Wall Insulation Is it Worth it?
In conclusion, cavity wall insulation is an excellent investment for anyone looking to save money on heating bills, reduce their energy use, and create a more energy-efficient home. The installation process is quick, non-intrusive, and provides long-term savings, making it one of the most cost-effective ways to improve your home’s insulation.
If you’re ready to improve your home’s energy efficiency, contact Cool to Be Warm Insulation today. Our team of registered SEAI contractors is here to help you every step of the way, from choosing the right materials to applying for SEAI grants.
Call us at 087 290 6040 or email us at info@cooltobewarminsulation.ie for a free consultation. We service counties Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Limerick, and Tipperary.
Let’s make your home warmer and more energy-efficient today!
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