The Long-Term Value of Home Insulation

Home insulation is often spoken of in the short-term, understanding the immediate benefits of increasing your thermal performance, and soundproofing areas, and saving money on your energy bills. However, it is also important to consider the long-term implications of insulating your property and how this benefits homeowners across the UK.

While insulating your property can be a high upfront cost, its long-term benefits can make this an easy decision for you. From marketability to continuous money-saving on bills and the environmental factor, the long-term benefits of home insulation far outweigh the short-term (from a financial point of view).

Choosing the Right Insulation

In order for homeowners to benefit, in the long-term, from insulation, they need a product that will last long enough to reap the rewards. Some types of insulation are known to regress in performance over time, therefore, your long-term value greatly shortens.

However, there are other insulation products that can last 25-30 years or more, which guarantees to last just as long. These products, although maybe more expensive up front, their long-term benefits will easily see you save financially. Some common insulation types are:

1. Fibreglass

Fibreglass is a relatively cost-effective solution, very affordable to begin with, and shows good thermal performance. Due to its composition, this type of insulation is also fire-resistant, being non-combustible. Additionally, it has soundproofing properties, reducing noise transmission between rooms.

However, overtime, this type of insulation is prone to settling, this means it will slowly lose its effectiveness and eventually need replacing. Therefore, the long-term benefits of fibreglass insulation are far less than its short-term benefits.

2. Cellulose

Cellulose is another common form of insulation, widely used in houses and apartments across the UK. It is an environmentally friendly product, composed of recycled paper. It has good thermal properties to provide effective insulation and it can also be great for soundproofing properties.

However, similar to fibreglass insulation, over time it can settle and lose some of its insulating benefits. The long-term effects, financially speaking, will be halted. Yet, due to its sustainable markup, the long-term effects on the environment are still beneficial.

3. Spray Foam

Lastly, we look at spray foam, a common insulation product for homes and commercial properties across England. This product provides one of the best thermal performances with a low U-Value. It creates air barriers to reduce leakage and a build-up of moisture, and, most importantly, it has a long lifespan, staying durable for a very long time.

Regarding long-term effects, spray foam insulation is definitely the go-to product, staying composed and high-performing for as long as your property.

This insulation product is more expensive compared to other options, however, you see an ROI over the long term due to its high thermal performance over many years.

The Environmental Factor

No matter the insulation product your home uses, when we look at the long-term effects from an environmental point of view, they are all beneficial.

Simply by reducing your energy consumption due to sufficient insulation in your roof, walls and floors, you are minimising your carbon footprint and benefiting the environment for the long term and for future generations.

Therefore, when you invest in an insulation solution, it is important to consider both the long-term benefits from a financial standpoint, but also from the environmental one.

Home Value

The marketability of your property increases greatly with a well-insulated property. With most insulations lasting a relatively long period of time, when you insulate, you are essentially adding value to your home.

From something simple such as buying a washing machine or a dishwasher, you always consider the EPC rating, no one really wants to buy something that consumes a lot of energy, therefore, will lead to higher energy bills. This same principle applies to buying property, if your home’s EPC rating is good, then your property will be a lot more marketable.