As winter nears, Scottish homeowners will look for ways to keep their homes warm without turning on the heating. One way to stay warm without raising your energy bill is to ensure your home has proper insulation.
Insulating your home is one of the best ways to keep heat in your home and the cold out making it an important investment for Scottish homeowners looking to stay warm all winter.
Read on to learn how proper insulation can keep your home warm in winter.
Why Insulation is Important for Scottish Homes
Insulation is crucial for Scottish homes, particularly during the winter time. Scotland’s climate is known to be cold, wet and windy which leaves many homes growing cold as the winter draws in.
While the simple solution would be to turn your heating up, for many this may not be an option. Relying on heating to keep your home warm is a costly and not very environmentally friendly way to stay warm throughout the winter. By ensuring your home is properly insulated, you can be assured your home will stay warm all winter long.
How Does Insulation Work?
Insulation works by slowing the transfer of heat from one side of it to the other. During the winter months, insulation traps heat in your home stopping it from escaping through the walls, roof or floors. In the summer, insulation keeps your home cool by stopping the outside heat from entering the home.
It can make a huge difference to the comfort and the energy efficiency of your home. This means that you’ll not only feel warmer but also reduce your carbon footprint and save money on your energy bills.
Common Areas to Insulate in Scottish Homes
The common areas for insulation in your home are:
Loft and Roof Insulation
If you have a poorly insulated roof or loft space, heat could be escaping through the top of your house. Insulating your home is a simple and effective way to reduce heat loss in your home and lower your heating bills.
Wall Insulation
According to the Energy Savings Trust, about a third of all the heat lost escapes through the walls of an insulated home and therefore insulating your walls may be a better long-term solution for your home.
Windows and Doors
While windows and doors are not technically ‘insulation’, they do have insulation properties. Windows, especially those with double glazing, help slow down the movement of heat from one side of the window to the other meaning heat will stay in your home for longer. The same goes for many doors including uPVC and composite doors.
The Benefits of Proper Insulation for Your Home
Properly insulated homes have many benefits including:
Improved home comfort
Ensuring your home is properly insulated will improve your home’s comfort. This is because your home will stay at a more consistent temperature and will have fewer cold spots. This means you will be comfortable whether you are cosying up in your living room or going to sleep in your bedroom.
Lower Energy Bills
A properly insulated home will also keep your energy bills lower. This is because your heating system won’t need to work as hard to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.
Noise Reduction
Insulation can also reduce noise by absorbing and blocking sound waves. This is great for those who live in high-traffic areas or those with noisy neighbours.
Lower Environmental Impact
Ensuring your home properly does not only reduce your energy bills but also your environmental impact. By insulating your home you will be using less energy to heat it, therefore, using less emissions.
Higher Property Value
Insulating your home can also increase your home’s value. This is because it can improve your home’s energy efficiency rating which is more attractive to potential buyers.
Why Insulate Your Home Now?
Right now, homeowners in Scotland can take advantage of government funding to help improve their home insulation.
ECO4, or the Energy Company Obligation, is a government-backed scheme that helps homes in Scotland become more energy efficient.
The scheme aims to reduce carbon emissions and address fuel poverty in Scotland.
At Homeshield Scotland, we have been very successful in helping our customers through the process of applying for Government Funding for ECO4.
Our expert team can guide you through all the necessary steps – from the initial meeting to assess your home, the application for funding and the installation.
Read more about the funding and check your eligibility.
