Home Insulation : ‘The jacket and hat method’

The key to reducing your home energy bills and achieve a warmer home is to install modern, functional heating systems. However, before you begin to contemplate these solutions you need to ensure that your insulation is fit for purpose.

Insulation keeps warmth inside your home and it also keeps the cold out! There are many different options for isulation and it’s hard to know where to start. This blog should give you a good idea of the type of insulation you might need. 

‘The jacket and hat method’

We are all familiar with leaving the house on a cold Winter morning. You know that you need to ‘wrap up warm’. The same is true for your home! In this case you can consider your roof to be a hat on your home and your walls are, of course, a jacket. The main types of insulation you will need are attic and wall insulation. 

Wall Insulation

Around one third of heat in the average home is lost through the walls. This is a good place to begin if you want a warmer home that’s more cost effective to run. There are three main types of wall insulation: 

1. Internal dry Lining Wall Insulation

Dry lining insulation is installed inside your home on the interior of the walls. A solid layer of insulation is covered with plasterboard. This is the most basic level but it is extremely effective in terms of cost and comfort. It’s also a great option if you are looking to spruce up interior walls with a new paint job!

2. Cavity Wall Insulation

Most homes are constructed with cavity walls. This means that the brick and concrete that make up the walls are two distinct rows. Cavity Insulation consists of installing a polystyrene material in the gap between these rows to increase the heat retention of the home. If you aren’t sure whether you have cavity walls, get in touch and our team would be happy to assist. 

3. External Wall Insulation

External wall insulation is the most pricey solution on our list, but it is extremely effective. It involves treating the outside of your walls with multiple solutions. We would usually recommend this as part of a deep retrofit job. 

Attic Insulation

Attic Insulation is undoubtedly less complex than insulating your walls but it’s also hugely effective. According to the SEAI, up to 30% of your home’s heat could be escaping through a badly insulated attic. We use the best quality 300ml Rockwool to insulate attics. This will last for 10-15 years and is a sound investment for any homeowner. 

Insulation Grants

There are currently a number of grants available for insulation from the SEAI. 

These grants are subject to change. Talk to one of our team about your grant entitlements.

For more information on insulation or any of our products or services please contact our energy specialists.