Poor insulation is a common problem in houses across the UK. For homeowners, poor insulation can lead to high energy bills and mounting repair costs if nothing is done about it.
But how can you tell if your house is well insulated or not? Aside from calling in the professionals to undertake an energy-saving survey of the building, there are several tell tale signs that homeowners can look for.
From frozen pipes to drafty rooms, here are nine warning signs that your home needs better insulation.
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Your Energy Bills Are Way Too High
The biggest giveaway that your home has poor insulation can be found in your energy bills. It’s a good idea to check what the average cost for gas and electricity is in your area – ask friends and families or run a quick Google search).
If your bills are considerably higher than average, then it’s often because you’re letting out too much heat and using more energy than you should be. Likewise, keep tabs on your energy expenditure throughout the year; if it’s consistently going up, it’s a good idea to have an energy-saving survey carried out.
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Your Walls Are Cold
Cold walls are a sign that your home is poorly insulated. Buildings lose up to 50 per cent of their heat through the walls, and if the walls aren’t trapping heat (because there’s no insulation) then cold spots begin to form.
The same problem can occur in other areas of the home too, including ceilings, the roof, and doors that open to the outside.
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Your Home Is Drafty
Do you feel cold drafts of air when you walk through the property? If the windows and doors are closed but you’re being hit by cold air when you walk into a room, then your home’s insulation isn’t up to scratch.
Cold drafts can often enter the home through windows and doors that aren’t properly sealed, or that won’t close tightly. This also lets hot air out and increases your energy usage.
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Your House Is Leaking
Is your house leaking when there’s heavy rain? If the answer’s yes (even if there are just a few small leaks here and there), then it’s an important warning sign that the insulation isn’t working properly.
A fully insulated house will also be waterproof. If water is getting inside the home, then it means the roof, windows, doors or masonry are letting heat out as well.
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You Have a Serious Damp and Mould Problem
If water is getting inside the house because of poor insulation or if there are big cold spots on the walls, floors or ceilings, then you open your home up to serious damp and mould problems.
If you notice damp patches or if mould is growing in the bathroom, you’re guaranteed to have poor insulation (as well as a damp and mould problem that needs fixing!).
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Your Pipes Are Freezing Over
Poor insulation can lead to serious household problems if your pipes are freezing over. In winter, if the temperatures drop below freezing, then water pipes can freeze if they aren’t insulated against the cold.
This can lead to expensive repair jobs if the pipes are damaged, so it’s important to ensure that your home is effectively insulated before winter arrives.
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Your Home Never Gets Warm Enough in Winter
Poor insulation causes heat to escape from the house. In winter, this can be much more apparent when you’re trying to heat your home.
If you’re struggling to keep the house warm despite turning the heating up, then you’re losing too much heat through inadequate insulation.
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Your Home Gets Too Hot in Summer
Insulation is designed to keep heat inside during cold winters, but the best insulation is also designed to keep your home cool in the summer.
If your house gets overbearingly hot during the summer months, then you could be in need of more effective insulation.
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Your Rooms Have Massive Temperature Fluctuations
Central heating systems are designed to spread heat evenly throughout the home, so if you find that certain rooms or particular parts of the house are hotter and colder than others, it’s a sure-fire sign that some areas of the home are better insulated than others.
Take a stroll through the house when the heating is on, and see if the upstairs is colder than the downstairs, or if the living room heats up when the bedroom stays cold.
Contact Danford, Brewer & Ives for More Information on Insulation
For more information and advice on insulating your home, contact our friendly team on 01765 804050 or fill in our online contact form. Our experienced specialists will be on hand and ready to offer expert advice tailored to resolve your problem.