Eco insulation - energy efficient homes

The floor, walls and roof of your home must have adequate insulation to combat heat loss. Insulation is the most effective method of energy efficiency for your home and can save up to one third of heat loss. Don’t forget to add insulation around heating systems, tanks and pipes. Use eco insulation materials to green your home and avoid synthetic insulation materials.

Heat loss without adequate insulation
Walls – up to 35%
Roof – up to 25%
Floor – up to 15%
Windows and doors – up to 25%

Airtight home
To be completely effective you need to fully insulate your home as well as checking for air leaks and draughts. This could be from door and window seals, anywhere in your building structure where the doors, windows, walls, roof and flooring open, join, meet or end. You can arrange for your home to be air pressure tested to find any weak points.

Benefits of eco insulation
Reduced utility bills as you won’t need to use the heating as much
Reducing the demand for heating systems lowers the amount of CO2 emissions used during energy generation, supply and use
Added insulation reduces noise pollution
The majority of eco insulation materials use a lower amount of energy during processing and production than conventional counterparts
Grants and funding available for in both the UK and USA to help cover costs
Insulation will keep your home warm in the winter months and cool in the summer months
Regarded as a home improvement, insulation will add value to the your property price

Natural insulation materials
Plant cellulose: Made from 100% flax fibres manufactured into sheets. Flax can be sourced from recycled waste textile fibres.

Sheep’s wool: A readily available material that comes in rolls of sheeting. The natural qualities mean it holds its bounce/springiness

Soya based foam: A readily available renewable plant based resource which expands to fit the cavity when sprayed in place

Straw panels: Made from straw and recycled cardboard manufactured into lightweight panels

Recycled insulation materials
Recycled rubber:Made from 100% recycled rubber from discarded car tires manufactured into sheet form

Recycled paper:Made from 100% recycled content which is available in panels, or can be poured or sprayed directly into cavity walls. Can be combined with borax for good mould and fire resistant properties. Material allows surfaces to breathe

Recycled textiles:Made from recycled hemp and/or denim fibres

Synthetic insulation (the one to avoid)
A plastic foam or resin insulation material made from petroleum (polystyrene and polyurethane). Available in sheet/panel form, or can be spray foamed into place. The most efficient is polyurethane, known to offer double the insulating value.

Conventional insulation (the other one to avoid)
An insulation material made from stone and glass wool. Available in bagged form, rolls of sheeting with foil or paper vapour backing. Both materials can be blown into place.

Both of these insulation materials create high levels of embodied energy during the manufacturing process

Insulation and health
Insulation materials have been linked to damaging human health. Mineral wool is categorised as a machine-made mineral fibre (MMMF). In some cases you may find that MMMF causes skin and eye irritations. For people who are heavily exposed to MMMFs, there is the suggested risk of lung cancer, especially relevant to those working with the materials. Some types of insulation contain formaldehyde which releases toxic vapours through offgassing during and post installation. Fibre glass insulation is also being studied through links to it being a carcinogen, again through inhalation of material fibres. Stone wool is suggested to be of similar risk to human health as asbestos, through inhalation of airborne weaker fibres. Precautionary measures should be taken when fitting insulation and the advice of a professional must be sought.

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