With energy bills on the rise and growing environmental concerns, energy efficiency has become a top priority for homeowners. Heating our homes accounts for a large portion of household energy use, which is why many people are choosing heat pumps as an alternative to gas boilers. While this is great news for the planet and your bank balance, there is one crucial factor that’s often overlooked: insulation.
Proper home insulation reduces heat loss, allowing your heat pump to work more efficiently and at lower temperatures. This saves you money on heating costs and reduces your home’s carbon footprint while improving overall comfort.
In this blog article, we’ll explore why insulation plays such a key role when installing a ground or air source heat pump.
Are you considering upgrading to a new heating system? Cinergi is here to guide you every step of the way, from improving your home’s insulation to choosing and installing the perfect heat pump. Contact us today to get started.
Do heat pumps work in poorly insulated houses?
Heat pumps can improve energy efficiency even in poorly insulated homes. However, without adequate insulation, it might not deliver the savings you’re hoping for.
Heat pumps work by extracting heat from the outside air or ground and distributing it throughout your home. In a poorly insulated home, the heat can quickly escape through walls, lofts, and windows. This means your heat pump has to work harder to maintain the desired temperature, leading to higher running costs and reduced efficiency.
Is it worth insulating your home before getting a heat pump?
While there are no longer insulation prerequisites to qualify for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme*, improving your home’s insulation is a very wise move when upgrading to a heat pump. Proper insulation reduces heat loss, which not only makes your home more comfortable but also means your heat pump doesn’t have to work so hard, saving you money.
Investing in insulation will help your heat pump work at lower temperatures and, therefore, reduce energy waste. The result? A heating system that costs less to run and is far kinder to the planet.
If you’re looking to make your home future-proof, energy-efficient, and comfortable, insulation is essential.
*as of 8 May 2024
Benefits of insulating your home before heat pump installation
Aside from eliminating pesky drafts and cold spots, better home insulation can deliver greater energy efficiency, save you money and reduce your household carbon emissions.
Improved energy efficiency
Installing insulation, such as double glazing and loft insulation, prevents heat from escaping your home, saving a lot of energy. According to the Energy Saving Trust, 25% of heat is lost through an uninsulated roof and around a third through uninsulated walls. By installing loft insulation, you could save up to £260 a year on your heating bills, and cavity wall insulation could save you around £290 annually (Source: Energy Efficient Home Campaign).
While the exact percentage of energy saved will depend on things like your home’s age, it’s clear that better insulation means your home stays warmer for longer, reducing the strain on your heating system or heat pump – and keeping your energy bills down.
Better heat pump performance
Air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps rely on maintaining consistent indoor temperatures. A properly insulated home allows heat pumps to run at their best, providing more heat at a lower temperature compared to fossil fuels like gas boilers.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), switching from a gas boiler to an air source heat pump in an uninsulated, solid-walled house can deliver energy savings of 60–70%. However, with higher levels of insulation, such as solid wall and loft insulation, the savings can soar to a staggering 90% reduction in annual heating energy demand.
Reduce your home’s carbon footprint
Did you know that heating our homes makes up about 17% of the UK’s total carbon emissions? (Source: gov.uk). The good news is that you can make a real difference – and it starts with better insulation.
By improving your home’s insulation, you minimise heat loss, which means you won’t need as much energy to keep your home cosy. Not only does this save you money on your energy bills, but it also significantly cuts down on carbon emissions. It’s a simple way to do your part for a greener future.
Pair proper insulation with an air or ground source heat pump, and you take it to the next level. Together, they create a super-efficient heating system that keeps your home warm while dramatically reducing your environmental impact. It’s a win-win: lower costs for you and a smaller carbon footprint for the planet.
Where to insulate your home
To get the most out of your heat pump system, consider insulating the following areas:
Wall insulation
- Cavity walls: Cavity wall insulation involves filling the gaps in your walls with insulating material, such as foam or mineral wool, which can cut heat loss by up to a third. Cavity walls are made of two layers of brick with a gap (or cavity) in between. Most homes built after the 1920s have cavity walls. It’s a relatively straightforward and cost-effective process.
- Solid walls: Found in older homes, usually pre-1920s, solid walls don’t have a cavity. Insulating them requires either adding insulation to the interior or exterior. While effective, insulating solid walls tends to be more expensive and time-consuming than cavity wall insulation.
Loft insulation
Approximately 25% of heat can be lost through an uninsulated roof, so installing loft insulation is a must. This is especially important in older homes. Insulating a loft involves laying rolls of mineral wool or fibreglass between and over the wooden joists to create a thermal barrier.
Windows and doors
Double-glazed windows and draught-proofing around doors are small upgrades that make a big difference in keeping the cold air out and the warm air in. Not only do they reduce heat loss, but they also help lower energy bills and make your home feel more comfortable, even on the chilliest days. Plus, these improvements can increase your home’s value and cut down on noise from outside.
Floors
Floors can be insulated by adding rigid insulation boards or mineral wool beneath the floorboards. This helps minimise draughts, making rooms much more comfortable and inviting. If you’re planning underfloor heating, insulating beneath the floorboards is essential to prevent heat from escaping downward and ensure your system works efficiently.
Are there grants to help make your home more energy efficient?
The Great British Insulation Scheme (formerly known as ECO+) is a government initiative administered by Ofgem. It aims to tackle fuel poverty by improving the energy efficiency of homes that need it most.
The program provides financial support for homeowners and renters to install measures like loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, and solid wall insulation. Not only does this help reduce energy bills, but it also makes homes warmer and more comfortable while cutting carbon emissions.
If you’re worried about the upfront costs of improving your home’s energy efficiency, this scheme could make it easier and more accessible to start saving money and energy.
In addition to this, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers grants to help homeowners in England and Wales move from fossil fuel heating to low-carbon alternatives like heat pumps. It offers:
- £7,500 towards the cost and installation of an air source heat pump.
- £7,500 towards a ground source heat pump, including water source heat pumps.
- £5,000 towards a biomass boiler.
To be eligible, you must:
- Own the property
- Be replacing an existing fossil fuel heating system, such as oil, gas, electric, or LPG.
- Have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for your property.
Need more heat pump advice? Contact Cinergi
Still wondering, should I insulate my house before getting a heat pump? We’re here to help. At Cinergi, we’ve been helping UK homeowners make their homes more energy-efficient for over 40 years. Whether you’re considering an air source heat pump, installing insulation, or upgrading your heating system, our friendly team is ready to guide you every step of the way.
Contact us today to discuss your home’s needs and discover how to create a comfortable, energy-efficient home.
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