Energy
Save Your Energy - Insulate your loft It can’t have escaped your notice that gas and electrivity bills have been rising at an astronomical rate. Energy is suddenly a more precious resource than ever before and we want to preserve every last joule. One of the most efficient ways to conserve energy in your home is to make sure it’s properly insulated. Heat rises, so if your loft isn’t adequately insulated your home could lose as much as a quarter of its heat through the roof. There are four types of insulation to choose from. Mineral wool matting is sold in rolls and is laid between the joists, with a second layer placed at right angles to cover the joists. Rigid insulation boards can be laid in lofts used for storage. Laid on top of mineral wool, wooden boarding is then fitted on top of the insulation boards. Alternatively, floor boarding pre-bonded with insulation board is available. If your loft space is irregular use loose-fill insulation. It’s sold in bags, and is poured between the joists to the correct depth. Finally loose, fire-retardant insulation material should
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be blown into loft areas that are hard to access. This is not really a DIY job so hire a professional. It should take no more than a few hours. In all other cases if you are experienced at DIY you should be able to insulate your loftd yourself, but do wear a protective mask and gloves if handling mineral wool. To get a list of possible installers go to the National Insulation Association website www.nia-uk.org By Kate McCarthy
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