How to insulate your home

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house shapes cut out of insulation materials

It can be hard to keep your home warm in the colder months, and you could be racking up high utility bills.  

But did you know insulating your home properly can make a huge difference and could help you save on your heating bills?

We discuss what kind of insulation is out there and how you can use it.

What temperature should my home be in winter?

According to the NHS, your home should be at least 18°C in winter.  

They also advise that you keep windows closed on winter nights, as breathing in the cold air can increase the risk of chest infections.  

How do I know what temperature my home is?

If you have a numbered thermostat in your home, it should show you the current temperature.

If you don’t have one built-in, you can buy a room thermostat to place on your wall or a shelf. Make sure you don’t buy a liquid or medical thermostat by accident.  

Why isn’t my home warming up?

If your home isn’t getting any warmer when you’ve got the heating on, it could be because of:

  • poor insulation
  • an issue with your radiators
  • a faulty boiler

Boiler issues are relatively common - contact a boiler engineer if you think yours is broken to have it properly checked.  

Also, make sure you prepare your boiler for winter to keep it in good shape through the chilly months and hopefully avoid any problems.

You may also find that your radiators are cold when they should be heating up. Try bleeding your radiators to see if this helps.  

If you have electric radiators, there could be an issue with its circuits or your home’s power supply.

Ways to insulate your home

To keep your home warm in the winter months, here’s a list of ways to insulate your house.  

Thermal curtains  

Thermal curtains are designed to reduce the amount of heat escaping from a room through the curtains, and then the window.  

You can find them online and in many homeware stores.  

Radiator foil

Radiator foil can be placed behind your radiators to reduce how much heat escapes through the wall.

Draught blockers

Draught blockers are placed at the bottom of doors and on windows to reduce the escape of heat. These are an affordable option and very easy to use.

Loft insulation

Because heat rises, a lot of it can be lost through the roof of your home. This is where loft insulation can help.  

Blanket insulation is often used for lofts. You may be able to install some loft insulation yourself, but there’s also plenty of professionals who you can call to do it for you.  

Wall insulation

Wall insulation comes in different forms, including:

  • spray foam  
  • fibre insulation
  • polystyrene beads
  • mineral wool

These materials are put in cavity walls. You can install them yourself, but constructing or opening up walls can be tricky without experience.  

You’ll likely want to hire a professional if you don’t have the right tools or experience.

How do I insulate my house with existing walls?

If you don’t want to gut or reconstruct cavity walls (i.e. the walls that make up the outer structure of your home), you can think about placing insulation boards on the outside of your walls instead.  

You could also build a stud wall. This is a wall made with wooden or metal studs that are sometimes used to divide rooms. Insulating a stud wall can improve your home’s energy efficiency.

How often should I insulate my home?

The insulation in your walls should be replaced every 15-20 years to keep your home well insulated.  

But this timeframe could change depending on the type of insulation you have. For example, cellulose insulation tends to last longer than fibreglass, and rigid foam boards can even last up to 100 years.  

How else can I stay warm at home?

On top of insulating your home, the NHS also has some other tips for keeping warm in the winter:  

  • avoid staying still for long periods of time – try to exercise once a day ideally
  • wear lots of thin layers of clothing to stay warm – many layers are more effective than one bulky layer  

Check out our guide on how to prepare your home for winter for more useful tips on looking after yourself and your home during the colder months.