Europe UK (Commonwealth Union) – A large drive to insulate loft and cavity walls that were intensified in the last 2 decades saw an increasing number of British households implement insulation of lofts and cavity walls.
Many households were contacted with free inspections and insulations with the goal of reducing carbon emissions. Much of the heat escapes by thin windows and walls hence thicker glasses or double glazing and wall insulation play a key role in retaining heat.
However, a 1st study exploring the long-term impact of home insulation in England and Wales observed a fall in gas consumption per household was low and continued only for a few years.
The Insulation of the lofts and cavity walls of present UK housing stock only lowers gas consumption for the 1st year or 2, with all energy savings disappearing by the 4th year following a retrofit, according to a study from policy experts at the University of Cambridge.
The latest study is the 1st to follow in detail household gas consumption across England and Wales for at least 5 years both prior and post insulation installation.
Researchers analyzed gas consumption patterns of over 55,000 dwellings over 12 years noting that cavity wall insulation led to an average 7 percent reduction in gas during the 1st year. This reduced to 2.7 percent in the 2nd, and by the 4th year, energy savings made were minor.
Prof Laura Diaz Anadon, co-author of the study and Director of the Cambridge Centre for Environment, Energy and Natural Resource Governance indicated that recent spotlight on raising the energy efficiency in UK buildings is welcome and much needed, and there are very real advantages to households from good insulation.
“However, home insulation alone is not a magic bullet. High gas prices will reduce the rebound effect in the short term, as homeowners have the need to keep costs down at the front of their minds. In the long term, simply funding more of the same insulation roll-out to meet the UK’s carbon reduction and energy security targets may not move the dial as much as is hoped,” she said.
