Homeowners 'are putting storage space above insulation'

9 May 2012

Posted by Kim Bardsley

Homeowners in the UK could be missing out on a valuable opportunity to save money on their heating oil bills because they are viewing storage space as more important than insulation.

A poll carried out by thinkinsulation.com found that more than a third of respondents are putting off adding the material to their loft space because they are concerned there will be nowhere to put their belongings.

This is despite the fact that up to £175 a year could be saved by making sure attics are padded out to a depth of 270mm or more, as heat loss through the roof is significantly lessened.

Lydia Sharples, spokesperson for thinkinsulation.com, said it is a good idea to have a clear-out of belongings that could be clogging up the loft unnecessarily and then to install the energy-saving material.

"If you can, pick a dry day when you can empty the contents of your loft outside while you lay the insulation to save you cluttering up the house," she added.

Anna-Marie DeSouza from Build It + Home Improvement magazine recently recommended packing in as much into roof spaces as possible to cut heating costs.

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