GA/24.03.10 COMFORT 1/2
CHOOSE WARMTH AND COMFORT OVER A NEW KITCHEN!
If you own a property off the gas mains, or one termed by the Government as
‘hard-to-treat’ including solid-walled housing, it is worth approaching your
energy supplier to see if a grant may be available for external wall
insulation. First claims will be those in the ‘priority group’, who cannot
afford to heat their homes adequately, but there will also be some funding
for ‘the able to pay’.
The
Government is now turning its attention to the homes that cannot receive the
low-cost wall insulation measures – because they have not got cavity walls
(including a useful space for injected insulation), or are unsuitable for
the process. Perhaps they have cracked mortar, porous brickwork or mortar
joints, or are on the top of a cliff or in a very exposed position.
It is worth
finding the money yourself if a grant is not available, as the external wall
insulation process will give you superior insulation – twice to three times
as effective as the low cost systems according to Government research –
weatherproofing, and an interesting new look facade. The cost is comparable
with double-glazing, with far more benefits, or a new kitchen – and would
you rather not be warm and comfortable?
The best
place to put the insulation is on the outside, whatever your property
construction, as it will warm up the outer wall, or walls in the case of
cavity construction, so that warmth radiates off the inner wall into your
home – and your property holds its heat for far longer, so that heating may
be left off for longer. The latest government figures show that external
wall insulation is the most effective insulation process, saving perhaps
£400 to £500 a year.
If you have a
solid-walled or custom-built house external wall insulation is likely to be
the only way to bring it up to today’s standards of insulation, carbon and
money-saving, without sacrificing valuable room space. If your home needs
re-rendering, whatever its construction, adding the extra layer of
insulation beneath the render is extremely cost effective.
External wall
insulation weatherproofs and will give your home a facelift whether you want
a change, or simply to upgrade an existing traditional look, perhaps to
match other nearby properties. It can be finished with real brick slips, and
features such as quoins can be replicated – although in conservation areas,
or if you have a listed property, you will need to check with your local
authority. Some listed properties have been treated to preserve them.
The life of
your property will be extended and its value generally improved. Heating
demand is substantially reduced and any replacement heating system can be of
smaller capacity.
Why not apply
for an extension to your mortgage to fund external wall insulation, which
should cover the extra interest currently. Green mortgages may be available,
or restricted and limited grants from energy retailers, particularly for
houses off the gas network, or where State benefits are received.
It is
important to insist upon tried and tested British Board of Agrément or
Building Research Establishment approved external wall insulation systems,
from INCA system designer members, applied by INCA installers, with longterm
experience of installing external wall insulation. Then an INCA
insurance-backed guarantee is available on request.
Further
information from the Insulated Render & Cladding Association at Royal London House, 22-25 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1DX
; tel: 0844 249 0040; fax: 0844 249 0042; e-mail:
info@inca-ltd.org.uk; or
www.inca-ltd.org.uk.
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Note to Editors:
Images and further
information from the INCA Secretariat
on 0844 249 0040 or download below.
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