There are two main types of wall construction to be found in
houses in the UK; cavity walls and solid walls. Most homes post
1930 will have some type of cavity wall with the pre 1930 more
commonly solid wall. Often it can be distinguished by looking at
the brick pattern as shown below.
Cavity walls
In an average semi detached house with unfilled cavity walls,
approximately 35% of total heat loss is lost through the walls.
Cavity wall insulation makes an important contribution to energy
efficiency; the average house could reduce heating costs by
15%.
Insulating a cavity wall involves filling the cavity between the
inner and outer walls with insulating material and should only be
carried out by a registered contractor. The contractor is normally
responsible for deciding whether the walls are suitable for cavity
fill, and is also responsible for making sure the work is completed
properly.
Solid walls
Solid walls lose heat more quickly than cavity walls but because
they are solid there is no easy way to insulate them. The two ways
involve disruption to the existing building and are:
- Internally - by adding insulation lining to the inside of
an external wall
- Externally - by adding insulation to the outer surface of
the wall and then protecting it.
External wall insulation is more expensive than cavity wall
insulation but it could save you around £380 a year on your energy
bills and it could pay for itself in around 12 years. Internal wall
insulation is cheaper than external wall insulation and you could
save around £360 per year on your energy bill.
Pay back periods
| |
Annual savings |
Installed costs |
Pay back |
CO2 saving |
| Roof insulation |
Around £205 |
Around £250 |
Around 1 yr |
1 tonne |
| Cavity wall insulation |
Around £160 |
Around £250 |
Around 2 yrs |
800 kg |
| Solid wall insulation - internal |
Around £75-100 |
Around £650 |
Around 6 yrs |
2.3 tonnes |
| Solid wall insulation - external |
Around £500 |
Around £3500-6000 |
Around 11-15 yrs |
2.5 tonnes |
| Hot water jacket |
Around £40 |
Around £20 |
Around 5 months |
200 kg |
Council grant scheme
Residents in Peterborough may be eligible for City Council
funding to make their homes more energy efficient.
Funding is available to homeowners or private tenants living
within the boundaries of Peterborough City Council where the gross
household annual income (including investment income) is less than
£25,000 per annum
Discounted schemes to install loft and/or cavity wall insulation
are available to all homeowners and private tenants whose household
income is above the threshold quoted above.
The measures available can:
- help to cut bills by as much as a third
- keep homes warm in the winter and cooler in the summer
- improve the overall condition of your home
- help make your home more environmentally friendly
For more information please contact the
Housing Programmes Team Bayard Place, Broadway, Peterborough
PE1 1HZ or call (01733) 863767.
If you are not eligible for a PCC grant why not visit the
Energy Saving
Trust or ring 0800 512012 to see if you are eligible for their
scheme or for a full list of accredited suppliers.
Quick web links
Pect - Local environment
charity working on many schmes to benefit Peterborough such as
Seeding Sustainable Communities and
Warmer Homes project
SEDBUK - for advice and
information about boilers
Warm Front Scheme - Providing Government grants towards the
cost of energy efficiency improvements to homes
Energy Saving
Trust - Energy Saving Trust (EST) gives information about
sustainable and efficient use of energy
Heat project - Home Loft & Cavity Wall Insulation Grants in
the UK
Heat project is a
Home Loft & Cavity Wall Insulation Grants for home owners and
private tenants in the UK. We provide grant assistance for your
homes insulation needs, all insulation measures installed at
affordable prices or in some cases for free.