According to a recent article in the Daily Telegraph energy bills in 2009 are expected to hit the £1000 a year mark. This staggering figure means that many are looking for ways to reduce energy costs and research shows that insulation can be one of the most effective methods for this.

Insulation is effectively used to create a barrier between the internal and external areas of your home to help create a balanced airflow. Good insulation will keep a home warm in the winter while cool in the summer and comes in a variety of different forms. Some of these types are more effective than others and the type used in your home will often depend on the age of your home. Previously developers did not have to meet certain standards when it came to installing insulation. This has now changed.

Why Insulation is effective In Reducing Energy Costs

 As mentioned earlier insulation creates a barrier meaning that valuable heat energy can’t escape. This means you have to put less demands on your heating system which in turn reduces your costs. Some modern types of insulation such as spray foam insulation can reduce heat loss by as much 80%. According to the latest research this can save you on average between £130 and £160 a year.

It is important to consider where you install insulation as some areas are more effective than others. The most popular areas tend to be wall insulation and loft insulation. These both offer good levels of insulation and home owners should also look at the integrity of their roofs. This will affect the performance of your insulation.

Grants

Last year the government announced the introduction of a grant scheme to help people pay for insulation. This is part of an initiative to cut carbon emissions and provides a great way for home owners to pay for insulation. The initiative is available to everyone however they must conform to certain criteria.

Although insulation is the most effective forms of energy saving in the home there are a number of other ways to reduce costs. For example you could install energy efficient light bulbs or have full solar panel systems installed. These all have an up front initial cost but in the long run start to reduce your bills in an effective manner.