The cavity wall insulation is all about filling the gap between inner and outer wall of external walls of houses. The insulation has to be 50mm minimum to serve the purpose of resisting heat flow through external masonry walls. Previously, from the year of 1920 onwards, buildings in the UK were constructed keeping such gaps to prevent dampness in the homes. However, cavity insulation have been observed to hinder comfort and energy savings of households. That’s why these cavity walls are considered to fill the gap with insulation.

Previously the gaps that were instrumental for preventing dampness are now catalyst to wasted heat from the house and entry of cold air from outside. As a result you need to run energy operated heating system to maintain warmth inside your house. Operating these heating systems result in carbon dioxide emission and excessive spending of energy due to that only to increase spending money in energy bills. On the other hand, insulation installed to your house lowers burning of fossil fuel, CO2 emissions and energy bills. At the same time, insulation aids in reducing condensation and moisture build up which was the main purpose of keeping spaces inside the walls. Insulated walls retard the rate of escaping heat, retaining the heat inside the home as much as possible.

How will you identify if your home requires cavity wall insulation?

First of all, if your house is constructed within the period of 1920 to 1989, your house conforms to the building regulations of keeping cavities in the walls that allow heat loss.

Measure the width of the external walls of your house to identify whether your house has cavities or consists of solid wall brickwork. If the width of your external walls exceeds 260mm in depth, there are cavities in the walls while a narrower wall suggests your walls have solid brickwork pattern and does not require cavity wall insulation treatments.

Does your wall have dampness? Consult with a builder or an insulation survey specialist to figure out first if your house has dampness. Your walls cannot be insulated if the house contains dampness in the walls.

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Most of the modern UK buildings are constructed with two thin inner and outer walls that may be built with bricks, stones or concretes etc. Post 1930s, building designing regulations standardized creating gaps between two separate and paralleled brick walls. These dual level brick walls were intended for protecting inner layer of brick wall by providing an outlet to let moisture sink into the ground through external level so that no moulds would form on the walls. But, these cavity walls currently pose a threat to existence to our blue planet causing massive greenhouse effects and shortening energy resources of the nation. That’s why, a cavity wall insulation method is need of the hour. This insulation process simply means injecting appropriate materials with heat conduction resistance are used to inject into the gap that expand and forms barrier in heat movement. The insulation is able to retain its benefits for decades maintaining comfort level and preventing temperature fluctuations irregardless of climate changes.

What Are Benefits Of Cavity Wall Insulation?
Installing cavity wall insulation enable any household receive ample of benefits including -

Homeowners can perform sizeable reduction in heating bills.
By lowering utility bills to a significant level increases energy efficiency of then home.

With improvement in energy efficiency, your house accumulates with higher value of the property.
Getting your home protected from heat losses with cavity insulation allow homeowners use less energy to heat up inside climate.
This method involves a simple method of insulation wherein insulation materials are squeezed into the gaps from outside walls br drilling small holes in the walls.
In general, buildings can be installed with cavity insulation within 3 to 4 hours.
Cavity wall insulation grants are available to aid in homeowners with 50% to 100% coverage to ease expenses of installation.

So How Burdensome Can It Be On Your Wallet?
Costs of cavity wall insulation vary largely due to variations in insulation materials and whether you use contractors’ labour for installation. Usually, costs for cavity wall insulation may rise up to 500 pounds and such investment will pay users off for 5 years.

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Anyone aged 70 and in some areas over 60 in the UK is entitled to a free loft insulation grant or cavity wall insulation grant that will cover the entire cost of any insulation work.

Free Government insulation grants are also available to households where any person living in the house receives one of the following tax credits, allowances or benefits:

Council Tax Benefit (single person’s discount and student exemption do not qualify)

Attendance Allowance

Income Support

Housing Benefit

Disability Living Allowance

Disabled Persons Tax Credit

Working Tax Credit (net combined household income must be under 15,592, excluding all benefits)

Child Tax Credit (net combined household income must be under 15,592, excluding all benefits)

Income-Based Jobseekers Allowance

Pension Credit (state pension only does not qualify)

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit *

War Disablement Pension **

* Must also be in receipt of Constant Attendance Allowance.

** Must include Mobility Supplement or Constant Attendance Allowance.

I am not eligible for the above so how much will it cost me?

You can expect to pay upwards of 149 inclusive of VAT for either loft or cavity wall insulation. This varies depending on where you live and what grants are available in your area.

How do I get the best grant?

You will get the best grant by going direct to the insulation contractors in your area as they will be well aware what the best funding options are that you can access.

What is the return on my investment on cavity and loft insulation?

Typically you will see a return on your investment within 2 years dependent on local prices or quicker if you resell the property.

What this basically means is that the money you save each year in your heating bills will pay for the cost of installation.

Once you have recovered this initial cost you can enjoy the benefit of the savings for each additional year you own the property.

Added benefits are your improved property will normally sell for a higher value than a non-insulated property or if you prefer is easier to rent due to the reduced heating bills and the fact the property feels warmer in winter and cooler in the summer.

Without doubt insulating your home is one of the best investments you can make but don’t delay as the grants will not last forever!

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Cavity wall insulation means the process of sealing the gaps between two layers of brick walls. The insulation forms a barrier in order to block flowing of the heat outside. Wall insulation is vital for those properties that were built during the period between 1920 and 1989, as building regulations of that time rule separating one layer of walls from another by keeping gaps in between for air passage. However, nowadays cavity walls pose a threat to climate condition of our planet by giving rise to excessive release of carbon dioxide gases. That’s why, insulating walls with an appropriate type of insulation material is necessary to prevent generating CO2 and increasing fuel bills for heating homes by using heating systems.

Types of Cavity Wall Insulation Materials

Insulation materials tend to vary in broad ranges from synthetic insulation materials to eco-friendly, greener materials. The right insulation materials should be selected as per the requirement. The best way to decide suitable materials to insulate cavity walls is by conducting a home inspection. Professional inspectors or insulation installers are the best people to rely on than yourself to inspect your house and determine the requirement of the insulation materials.

Three main materials are chosen for cavity wall insulation and they are -

1. Mineral Wool
2. Polystyrene Beads
3. Urea Formaldehyde Foam

These cavity wall insulation products are selected for the ability to render stable insulation effects to the building for the life of it. These insulation materials have high heat resistance capacity, low heat conductivity and they are non-combustible. Moreover, these products have proven to resist water flow or penetration to it thus making these ideal to prevent condensation or moisture build-up through the walls. Low moisture build up ensures long life of the insulation in the walls and lessening fuel bills more and more with time. Estimations taken on the effectiveness in reducing energy bills have revealed it is an amount of 90 per year in which fuel bills tend to lessen.

If you believe in using everything natural and eco-friendly, choose green insulation materials instead of synthetic materials. Sheep’s wool, flax, hemp, cellulose or recycled newspapers, cork board or straw materials are green cavity wall insulation materials that do not biodegrade and cause irritants on skin during installing insulation. Nonetheless, these materials are prone to forming pests or fungus and require them to be replaced with time. According to insulation experts’ observations, fibreglass insulation including batt and roll insulation and blown-in cellulose insulation are the most effective for insulating cavity walls.

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Cavity wall insulation grants are the remedy to take control over rampant rising utility bills. Homeowners of the UK who are losing substantial amount of heat (approximately 35%) through porous walls of their home take resort of heating systems that burn fossil fuel and are operated by electricity bills. That’s why, they electricity bills tends to rise high, especially in those chilling months of winter due to too much dependence upon heater. Consequently they are paying about 200 pounds extra due to operating heating system to warm up the cold air entering from outside. Moreover, these heating systems burn fossil fuel to produce carbon dioxide based heat and thus leads to CO2 emission that intensifies global warming condition. To reduce greenhouse gas emission, preserving resources of energy of the nation and control fuel poverty, government has come up with idea of offering cavity wall insulation grants.

It is those low income families who feel the sting of lack of insulation in their property. Every month they feel acute pinch on their pockets to pay off electricity bills. Moreover, it is utterly difficult for them to keep aside considerable amount of money from household expenses for covering installation expenses. Government has initiated this Cavity wall insulation grants offering project as part of its energy and money saving measures.

These Cavity grants are offered in varying level of amounts that depend upon the financial status of homeowners in the UK. The costs of installing cavity wall insulation is estimated to be somewhere between 225 to 249 and any households with proven ownership over their property can qualify at least 50% such costs to 70% of the costs if not sanctioned for the entire amount. Free cavity wall insulation grants are mostly favoured to homeowners when they can prove their age minimum 70. Also, if they are entitled with some allowances, benefits or pensions such as Council Tax Benefit, Attendance Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit, Disability Living Allowance, Disabled Persons Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Jobseekers Allowance, Pension Credit, Industrial Injuries, Disablement Benefit and War Disablement Pension etc., they can easily qualify for 100% insulation grants.

There are various avenues to get these cavity wall insulation grants such as through insulation service providers in your area or websites that welcome online application for grants. These companies arrange such insulation grants on applicants’ behalf and source from government, local energy suppliers or insulation material companies. Considering accessibility and advantages of these cavity wall insulation grants, these are always worth of applying for these.

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Cavity wall insulation grants are the remedy to take control over rampant rising utility bills. Homeowners of the UK who are losing substantial amount of heat (approximately 35%) through porous walls of their home take resort of heating systems that burn fossil fuel and are operated by electricity bills. That’s why, they electricity bills tends to rise high, especially in those chilling months of winter due to too much dependence upon heater. Consequently they are paying about 200 pounds extra due to operating heating system to warm up the cold air entering from outside. Moreover, these heating systems burn fossil fuel to produce carbon dioxide based heat and thus leads to CO2 emission that intensifies global warming condition. To reduce greenhouse gas emission, preserving resources of energy of the nation and control fuel poverty, government has come up with idea of offering cavity wall insulation grants.

It is those low income families who feel the sting of lack of insulation in their property. Every month they feel acute pinch on their pockets to pay off electricity bills. Moreover, it is utterly difficult for them to keep aside considerable amount of money from household expenses for covering installation expenses. Government has initiated this Cavity wall insulation grants offering project as part of its energy and money saving measures.

These Cavity grants are offered in varying level of amounts that depend upon the financial status of homeowners in the UK. The costs of installing cavity wall insulation is estimated to be somewhere between 225 to 249 and any households with proven ownership over their property can qualify at least 50% such costs to 70% of the costs if not sanctioned for the entire amount. Free cavity wall insulation grants are mostly favoured to homeowners when they can prove their age minimum 70. Also, if they are entitled with some allowances, benefits or pensions such as Council Tax Benefit, Attendance Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit, Disability Living Allowance, Disabled Persons Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Jobseekers Allowance, Pension Credit, Industrial Injuries, Disablement Benefit and War Disablement Pension etc., they can easily qualify for 100% insulation grants.

There are various avenues to get these cavity wall insulation grants such as through insulation service providers in your area or websites that welcome online application for grants. These companies arrange such insulation grants on applicants’ behalf and source from government, local energy suppliers or insulation material companies. Considering accessibility and advantages of these cavity wall insulation grants, these are always worth of applying for these.

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Technorati Tags: foam cavity insulation

The cavity wall insulation is strongly advocated by the Government for all existing general buildings if they are built in or after 1935 onwards till 1989. From 1989 onwards, buildings were insulated according to the then building regulations. Houses built during the span between 1935 to 1989 following regulations had such spaces in the walls for air passage. Currently, such openings in the walls act as a catalyst to heat exit and entry of cold air inside leading people depend hugely upon the energy operated heating system. These heaters produce carbon dioxide based heat to maintain indoor climate and hence, increase CO2 emission in the environment. More carbon dioxide gases emit; more our environment is threatened by the global warming risks. To fill these cavities, a cavity wall insulation measure has been the ideal home improvement measures.

Cavity wall insulation is a secure and approved method of improving energy efficiency. Once fitted to the targeted space, this home insulation process renders permanent insulation solution that continues showing effects without a recurring maintenance. Thus, once you treat your walls by filling insulation to gaps between two thin layers of walls, the insulation effects will last for the life of your house.

The efficacy of wall insulation has been confirmed by the government Building Research Establishment. However, the degree of effectiveness of cavity wall insulation procedure is even higher if the insulation project has been completed by a professional installer. The approval and guarantee of the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency (CIGA) for 25 years on a wall insulation installation done by a registered installation contractor is a good way to ensure successful installation and effectiveness of cavity wall installation.

Apart from a seal of approval and certification on the insulation of the trusted agencies and the government, the efficacy of cavity insulation can be measured following another key aspect: the R-value. The R-value of the insulation materials reveals the capability of resisting heat transfer while ‘R’ stands for ‘resistance’. The higher the value, the better insulation effects a material has. Before you choose a rigid foam, rolls or batts, fibreglass, cellulose, rock wool, foam-in-place or blown-in insulation – check out the R-value of the insulation materials for cavity wall insulation, collect R-value related facts on an insulation product.

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With fuel prices rising and the UK public becoming increasingly concerned for the environment people are looking for ways to heat their home more efficiently.Studies show that as much as a third of a home’s heat is lost through its walls.One way to improve the energy efficiency of your home is by installing cavity wall insulation.

What is Cavity Wall Insulation?

Most modern homes consist of both inner and outer walls set with a small gap of a few inches between them.The purpose of this gap is to provide extra protection against outside elements particularly damp.The cavity between the walls gives an outlet for moisture to sink back into the ground and so protecting the inner areas of the home from mould and damp.Cavity wall insulation means filling this gap with a type of insulating material.The insulation retains the purpose of the cavity wall whilst having the further benefit of helping to keep the home warm all year round.

What are the benefits?

Installing this type of insulation in your home brings with it a number of benefits.For homeowners the main reason for installing is that it can result in a significant reduction in heating bills. Having it installed will reduce the amount of warmth that escapes through the walls of the property meaning less energy is needed to heat the home and so utility bills will be lower.Not only will heating bills be reduced but research has shown that it can lead to a significant increase in the value of a property.

How much does it cost?

There are many companies that specialise in the installation of this type of insulation.Although installing it isn’t cheap in the long run it can prove to be a cost effective decision.Latest statistics suggest heating bills can be reduced by as much as 15 per cent so over time it will eventually pay for itself.If you live in the UK you may not have to pay the full cost of its installation.Cavity wall insulation grants are available to all UK homeowners as part of the governments Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT).

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Foam insulation is made up of a polymer (such as polyurethane or modified urethane) and a highly reactive foaming agent. The two components are kept separate until they reach the nozzle of the spraying machine when they quickly react creating a substance that can expand up to 100 times its original size.

The foam is sprayed either directly onto the surface or through holes (in the case of retro-fitting) and expands to fill even the smallest nooks and crannies making an air-tight seal and thus eliminating the escape of air, energy, and money.

There are two types of spray foam insulators: open-cell (isocyanurate) and closed-cell (polyurethane). Open-cell types allow for the infiltration of vapor, while the closed-cell provides superior insulation and serves as a vapor barrier.

Each type has its advantages in different situations. Review the following advantages and disadvantages to see if this material is right for you.

Advantages of spray insulators:
They have higher R-values per inch than traditional batted fiberglass. R-value is the measurement of thermal resistance used in the construction industry today. The higher the number a material is, the more effectively it insulates.
It blocks air flow by making a tight seal around wires, electrical boxes, and in all tight spaces.
It can serve as a vapor barrier when a closed-cell variety is used.
It acts as a sound dampener as well.
It can be used to retrofit a home for thermal efficiency.
When retrofitting, it is the cleanest (no dust) and most effective option.
It can actually improve the structural stability of the building.
It can be used in places where traditional materials cannot such as between rafters and joints.
When the house expands and contracts the material does the same, always providing that air-tight seal.
It can be applied in small quantities.
It does not shrink, loose shape, or biodegrade.
Some kinds are fireproof.

Disadvantages of Spray Foam Insulators:
Installation is difficult and requires special equipment. A small area may be attempted by a novice, but most jobs ought to be handled by a certified installer. They have the experience and the ability to the wall cavity without too much over-spray.
Because a professional installer is needed, this material can be expensive. The installed cost generally ranges from $1.25 to $2.25 per square foot, depending on wall thickness and type of foam. This cost is typically higher than the price of traditional materials.
When burned, they release toxic fumes
Some use HCFCs, which are believed to deplete the ozone layer.
It is made from fossil fuels.
It contains hazardous chemicals which can become a danger to humans and the environment during transportation and installation.
Installation can be dangerous and visual blindness can occur without the proper eye protection.
In some cases it may be difficult to retrofit a home with because of the chemicals used.

Now it is becoming increasingly popular to insulate your home with spray foam insulation. However installing this type of insulation is not that easy, and should be left to professionals.

Author: Andrew Stratton

Spray foam insulation is a safe alternative to other insulation materials. To safely install this energy-efficient, noise-reducing, and versatile material in your home, get a spray foam insulation kit at http://foaminsulationspray.wordpress.com/.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Stratton

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If you are considering insulating the walls of your old house there are several things to consider before you get started on this home improvement project: how your house was constructed, the type of blown-in insulation, if you are up to the challenge of doing it yourself or will you need to hire someone to do it, and the possible negative aesthetic impact. This energy conservation method can easily save you hundreds of dollars every year on your heating and cooling bills, but it’s a bit more involved than adding a layer of "pink" in your attic.

First you must examine how your house was built. If you have solid masonry walls of brick, stone and/or claty masonry units you really should not add any insulation. The second red flag to look for is if your house has "knob and tube wiring." If so, it must be removed and replaced since covering this type of wiring with blown-in insulation is a fire hazard. If your house was built in or before the 1950’s it may be "balloon framed" instead of "platform framed" which means that the cavity between the wall studs will extend from the top of the foundation wall all the way up to the roof rafters. These cavities are obviously interrupted by doors and windows, but they are not interrupted by floor framing as is the case with "platform framing." The implication here is that with balloon framing fewer holes will need to be drilled into your walls.

The three most common types of blown-in insulation are: cellulose, fiberglass and foam. Each type has its positives and its negatives. Cellulose insulation is basically recycled ground up newsprint that has been mixed with chemicals that deters mold, fire and vermin. This is typically going to be your least expensive option and is a little better than fiberglass at preventing water damage in your walls. One drawback of cellulose insulation is that it will not fully fill the inside of the wall cavities as it will not expand like foam into cracks and around obstacles in the wall. Furthermore, it can settle a little over time leaving small gaps of no insulation at the tops of your walls. This however can take many years to happen and is most often insignificant. Fiberglass is one of the most familiar types of insulation. This solution will usually be a little more expensive than cellulose and its insulating capabilities are slightly less effective. It is less likely to settle than cellulose, but only contains about half of the recycled content. Foam insulation is by far the most effective energy conservation improvement for your walls. Foam will completely fill the entire wall cavity and any minor cracks and openings, this creates an effective air barrier that will seal any source for air leakage. The basic insulating properties of foam are about 33% better than cellulose and 60% better than loose fill fiberglass. However, overall foam performs even better because of its air barrier qualities. The only drawback to foam is cost, only you can decide if the added savings will be worth the added cost.

The blown-in insulation of choice for the do-it-yourselfer is cellulose. The materials and equipment for installing cellulose insulation can be found at most large home improvement stores, but you should have some general knowledge of wood framing and other home improvement skills. If you do decide to take on this challenge make sure to plan carefully and take all safety precautions including using dust masks. You could blow fiberglass into your attic yourself fairly easily, but leave it to the professionals to blow it or foam into your walls. The materials and equipment for installing foam insulation are not typically available to the general public.

Finally, the last consideration is how this project may impact the looks of your house. Many blown-in insulation contactors will prefer to drill holes directly through your siding or stucco into the wall cavity and repair them at the end of the job by placing a painted plastic plug into the hole, this will be your least expensive option, but it will have a negative impact on the look of your house. A second option is to carefully remove the siding in the required locations, drill holes through only the sheathing, install the insulation, plug the holes and then replace the siding. This solution will be more expensive and may require you to repaint your entire house, but it will leave your house looking just as before. One complication is that some sidings are very difficult if not impossible to remove without damaging them. Homeowners with brick or stone veneer do not have the option of insulating from the exterior and must do it from the inside. This solution, available to everyone, creates a bit of a mess in your house, but drywall and plaster is much easier to patch and repair without leaving a trace.

Regardless of which options you choose, adding insulation to your home is one of the most cost effective energy conservation strategies that you can use to reduce your heating and cooling bills. Depending on the efficiency of your heating and cooling equipment and the cost of energy in your area insulating the walls in your older home could pay for itself in as few as two years or as many as ten. However, if viewed as an investment, insulating your older home is one of the best and safest that you could make, returning you a 10% to 50% return on your investment, and that is with today’s energy costs.

Author: Dan Bossenbroek

Dan Bossenbroek is an Architect who has promoted energy efficient solutions in his projects for over 17 years. For energy conservation strategies and home improvement advice, I recommend http://www.justgreenhomes.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_Bossenbroek

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