Brits lose millions and risk lives with 50-year-old insulation

BRITS are losing millions of pounds – and even risking their lives – amid warnings that 55% have insulation based on standards nearly 50 years out of date.

Insulation expert, Dave Raval, highlighted the staggering number of UK properties – more than 13 million – that only meet insulation standards of 1976 or earlier.

These homes are losing heat through the likes of inadequate wall cavity insulation, lack of double glazing, insufficient loft insulation and poor floor insulation – all features that modern regulations specify today.

As a result, those property owners could each be throwing away up to £380 per year in additional energy costs.

Experts have also revealed the reoccurring mistakes they have spotted in various properties, including using cardboard boxes as insulation, covering electrical cables or wires, and blocking ventilation.

But as well as the impact this has on the temperature and environment of a home, this could also pose a health and safety risk to those living inside.

It comes after a study of 2,000 homeowners revealed 69% of those who have laid loft insulation themselves are guilty of making some of these mistakes, with 41 per cent ‘completely unaware' they were doing anything wrong.

Many homeowners are unknowingly squashing their insulation by placing belongings directly on top, reducing its performance by 50 per cent, causing more heat to escape, forcing them to turn up the heating and spend more on their energy bills.

Dave Raval, CEO of LoftZone, which commissioned the research, said: “Many homeowners don’t realise that their DIY attempts could actually be making their homes less energy efficient, more dangerous, and more expensive to run.

“The right insulation, installed correctly, can make a massive difference, not just to comfort and cost, but to safety as well.”;

It also emerged six in 10 of those polled admitted their knowledge on this subject was ‘average’, ‘poor’, or ‘very poor’.

Of those who have never tried DIY loft insulation, the main reason given for their reluctance was this lack of knowledge about what to fit or how to fit it.

When asked about the proper depth of insulation a loft should have, only two per cent knew the correct answer of 270mm.

Nearly four in 10 (39%) of those polled, viaOnePoll.com, also admitted they were not certain whether or not their loft was properly insulated.

But safety was also an issue with 28% of those who have laid insulation themselves installing it without the necessary protective gear.

While 14% had at some point removed their old insulation without checking for hazards, such as asbestos, mould, or even pests living in the eaves.

Although 97% believe in the benefits of insulation, 47%have still noticed lingering draughts and cold spots around their insulated homes.

With 15% experiencing more severe issues such as mould and damp due to incorrectly fitted insulation.

Raval added: “There are a number of methods for homeowners to avoid these costly and potentially dangerous pitfalls, which are simpler than you think.”;

In other news, it was recently revealed that one in four Brits know more about pop culture than their savings accounts, according to Skipton Building Society

Whilst, a recent NatWest survey found that a quarter of young Brits (those aged 35 and under) have £500 or less in their savings.