| The Energy Saving Trust in the UK estimates | | | | do require special technical expertise. For example, |
| that the average home can save several hundred | | | | to install cavity wall insulation – filling the space |
| pounds off its annual heating bills, and prevent the | | | | between your outer walls with insulation material - |
| emission of over two tonnes of carbon dioxide | | | | requires special machinery, as well as training. You |
| into the atmosphere annually, by installing insulation | | | | should always use a reputable contractor for this. |
| throughout. Insulation is the single biggest measure | | | | Although not technically difficult, installing loft |
| you can take to cut the amount of energy you | | | | insulation is often still a challenging DIY job. The |
| use in the home. Plus this will also make the | | | | working conditions in a loft are often cramped and |
| average home more comfortable by making it | | | | unpleasant. Employing someone else to go up |
| warmer in winter, and cooler in summer. It’s | | | | there is in many cases a much more attractive |
| no wonder that hundreds of thousands of people | | | | option! |
| a year in the UK are getting their homes insulated. | | | | As well as the technical challenges, DIY can also |
| When thinking about insulating your home you are | | | | have a number of safety issues. For example, the |
| immediately faced with the choice of employing a | | | | mineral wool that is commonly used to insulate |
| professional contractor to do it, or attempting a | | | | lofts can be hazardous. It is extremely important |
| bit of DIY. At first the DIY option can appear | | | | to handle it with care, as it can severely irritate |
| tempting. For example, some types of insulation, | | | | the throat and skin. You need to wear protective |
| such as loft insulation, are not normally technically | | | | clothing, including face mask, safety goggles and |
| difficult to fit. The materials are readily available in | | | | gloves. You also need to make sure that you do |
| most DIY stores. Plus many people automatically | | | | not expose the living areas of the house to the |
| think that DIY is going to be cheaper than | | | | material, either when you unpack it, or dispose of |
| employing a professional contractor, because with | | | | any waste material. |
| a contractor you are paying for their labour. | | | | If you use a reputable contractor, you can be |
| However, in many cases they will be wrong | | | | sure that these issues will be taken care of, with |
| because using a professional contractor is either | | | | much less hassle for you. You also know that the |
| cheaper or roughly the same cost as DIY. This is | | | | job will be done to a good standard, because of |
| because installing insulation in the UK is now heavily | | | | their training and experience. In fact, cavity wall |
| subsidised by gas and electricity suppliers, in order | | | | insulation carried out by professionals in the UK |
| that they can meet their carbon emission targets | | | | comes with a 25 year guarantee if they are |
| set by the government. These subsidies are | | | | registered with the Cavity Wall Guarantee |
| funded by the power companies regardless of | | | | Agency, which most reputable firms are. |
| household income, and currently amount to | | | | Given all of these advantages, we recommend |
| between 50 and 70% of the cost of having the | | | | that most people use a professional contractor to |
| insulation installed. This usually means that using a | | | | get their home insulated. It’s generally |
| contractor becomes price competitive, or in many | | | | competitive on cost or cheaper than DIY, safer, |
| cases even cheaper, than DIY. | | | | less hassle, and will be done to a high standard if |
| Plus if you receive certain benefits from the | | | | you choose the right contractor. There are many |
| government in the UK, you can get your insulation | | | | reputable firms who can be accessed through the |
| installed by a professional contractor completely | | | | Internet They will offer you a free no-obligation |
| free. This is because the government tops up the | | | | survey, after which you get a quotation. They |
| grants from the energy companies with its own | | | | also give you access to the attractive grants and |
| subsidies to cover the entire cost of the work. | | | | subsidies mentioned above. If you like what they |
| As well as financial considerations, there are other | | | | tell you, then you can simply go ahead and get a |
| reasons why employing a professional contractor | | | | date booked for the work, and look forward to a |
| can be attractive. Firstly, some types of insulation | | | | warmer home and lower heating bills. |