Energy efficiency can be defined as ‘using less energy to produce the same amount of services or useful output’ (Patterson,1996).Concerns over energy efficiency has meant the government has a mission to seize the energy efficiency opportunity . This will be done by supporting energy efficiencies, harnessing the power of improved energy use information driving its availability and disclosure and by encouraging collective action to act on this and better information regarding the schemes available (Department of energy and climate change,2012).
One way in which businesses and property owners alike can help in this campaign is by introducing loft insulation into buildings. The National insulation association (2013) claimed that more than 40% of heat is lost through loft space and walls and with 25% of this heat loss coming directly from lofts this poses issues particularly with regards to how well homes and businesses can be energy efficient. The loss of energy occurs through air being heated in the home through central heating which is less dense than the cooler air around it and therefore rises. The ceilings become heated and eventually the heat escapes through the roof. Loft insulation works by using mineral wool trapping air forming an insulating layer between the rooms and attic (Beenergysmart,2013). Loft insulation has become an increasingly popular option to reduce energy loss in the households as well as having the benefits of saving money. The energy saving trust estimates that the cost of fitting loft insulation is £50- £350 (beenergysmart,2013) highlighting that this method is relatively cheap considering once it has been installed householders can save up to £180 per year (Which1,2013).
Government targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% between 2008-2050 have meant that a number of schemes have been introduced(Gov.UK, 2013).Free insulation schemes were set up by the government backed scheme-carbon emissions reduction target(CERT) but soon came to a rapid end in 2012. The ECO HHCRO provided a scheme to give free insulation helping those particularly on child tax credit, receiving state pension credit or working tax (beenergysmart, 2013). Even though free insulation schemes cannot be offered to all this should not cause evasion from installing the insulation as companies such as British gas offer £50 off when referring someone for insulation and Sainsbury’s energy customers receiving free cavity wall and loft insulation (Which2,2013). With the benefits of insulation helping to reduce gas and electricity bills, keeping buildings cooler in summer and warmer and winter as well as reducing noise from the outside this energy saving option seems an exceptional method to reducing our carbon foot print as well as helping cutting the cost of our bills in our austere economic climate (Loftlagger,2013).
References
Beenergysmart, 2013. Loft insulation. (online) Available at: http://www.beenergysmart.co.uk/energy-solutions/wall-loft-insulation/loft/ accessed on 5th May 2013.
Department of energy and climate change. 2012. The energy efficiency strategy- the energy efficiency opportunity in the UK. (pdf) available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/65602/6927-energy-efficiency-strategy–the-energy-efficiency.pdf accessed 5th May 2013
Gov.UK. 2013. Reducing the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050.(online) Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/reducing-the-uk-s-greenhouse-gas-emissions-by-80-by-2050/supporting-pages/carbon-budgets Accessed on : 17th May 2013.
Loftlagger,2013. Loft insulation, why bother? (online) Available at: http://www.loftinsulationgrants.org.uk/loft/insulation/Why-insulate.aspx Accessed on: 10th May 2013.
National insulation association (2013). Where does all that heat go? (online) available at: http://www.nia-uk.org/householder/index.php accessed on 5th May 2013.
Patterson,M, 1996. What is energy efficiency. Concepts, indicators and methodological issues. Energy policy. Vol 24 (5) p377-390.
Which 1, 2013. How to buy loft insulation. (online) Available at : http://www.which.co.uk/energy/creating-an-energy-saving-home/guides/how-to-buy-loft-insulation/loft-insulation-costs-and-savings/ accessed on : 6th may 2013.
Which 2, 2013. Energy grants, free insulation schemes. (online) available at: http://www.which.co.uk/energy/creating-an-energy-saving-home/guides/energy-grants/free-insulation-deals/ accessed on: 17th May 2013.
