Loft insulation is the most cost effective energy saving improvement
Of all the energy saving measures possible in the home, the one that we would always prioritise above all others is loft insulation.
We try to hammer home in all our energy saving advice the importance of it, after all, it is extremely quick to install, and relative to other energy efficiency improvements, the whole process is essentially very cheap to do too – paying back in an average of just 1-2 years.
Why is insulating your loft so key?
Up to 25% of all heat loss occurs through the roof, but installing pure wool insulation dramatically slows this heat movement from the home in the winter. It is also vital to mention that in the summer (while it lasts!), loft insulation helps slow the movement of heat coming into the home, which should keep it cooler. This reduces the need for expensive to run air-conditioning appliances and therefore doing it now is actually rather sensible.
While there are a few options you may want to consider when looking at the type of loft insulation to install, none of them boast the sustainability credentials offered by pure sheep wool insulation. This 100% pure and naturally produced product works by trapping air in the crimps of the wool fibre, which slows down heat transfer.
Why use 100% pure sheep wool Insulation?
While sheep wool insulation is a slightly more costly method for insulating your loft, the argument for paying a bit more is pretty strong. If you have ever tried to install the mineral wool and it has touched your bare skin – the irritation that ensues would surely make you think twice about ever using it again. In contrast the sheep wool insulation is soft to touch and irritant free. In fact you can lie in it, even use it as a duvet keeping you soft and cosy. This then surely has to be the insulation of choice!
Sheep wool insulation has excellent natural insulating properties but in addition the wool fibres are hygroscopic by nature, meaning the can absorb up to 35% of their own weight from the surrounding atmosphere depending on the humidity, helping to preserve the surrounding timbers.
100% pure sustainable sheep wool insulation – the safest insulator available
Although there are many different materials used for insulation, none of them have the number of additional qualities that sheep wool insulation holds. Obviously sheep wool insulation is a fantastic insulator with thermal conductivities starting at 0.0359W/mK, however it also helps to purify the air from harmful substances & odours like formaldehyde as well as regulating humidity. It is also the only insulation that can comfortably call itself 100% sustainable as the only ingredient is sheep wool – and we have plenty of that in the country!
This stuff is lovely to use – I bought my sheep’s wool insulation 3 years ago and it really has paid back in spades. If we do extend the house, we will certainly be using it again – so we may be back to TheGreenAge to get it!
I used the premium sheep wool to insulate my loft this year, it makes such a difference compared to that itchy stuff that you can buy. It is more expensive, but it is worth it just not to itch for days after!
I was starting to use my loft a lot more due to storage and kept having a reaction to the fibreglass wool that I used to have as insulation. I have recently changed to sheepwool and it’s been fantastic with no itchy cough or skin reaction. Would recommend to anyone.
Hi Will, that is one of the main reasons why it is so popular, that and obviously the fact it is all natural!
Hi Guys, I would strongly advise anyone who is in dilemma to use sheep wool instead of the mineral component one. Friend of mine recently used sheep wool for loft insulation and they noticed a huge difference to the air quality in the bedrooms – his youngest son doesn’t get anymore headaches. The back up information you guys provide is so positive for sheep wool, so I’m probably going to follow him too for my own loft insulation. Thanks a lot to thegreenage for very helpful advice. Your information is fantastic Guys.
No problem Alex, we are seeing more and more people switch to the sheep wool mainly because people are spending so much time in the home now, they don’t want to be surrounded by the artificial insulation products. Couple that with the fact the sheep wool insulation also purifies air and regulates humidity as well as being easy to work with – you really do have a winning product!