Is Investing in Wall Insulation for Solid Walls Worth It?

If you're a homeowner in the North East struggling with high energy bills and cold, draughty rooms, you're not alone. With energy costs remaining stubbornly high, many households are seeking long-term solutions to stay warm while reducing their costs. If this resonates with you, wall insulation for solid walls could be the answer you've been looking for.

Why Solid Wall Insulation?

33% of heat is lost through the walls of the home. Not so bad in the summer, but in the harsh winter months, many people are left with high energy bills and a chilly home. By preventing the heat generated from escaping through the walls, you save energy and lower your bills.

Understanding Solid Walls in Your Home

Before considering solid wall insulation, you need to identify whether your property has solid walls. Most homes built before the 1920s feature solid brick construction, accounting for 8.5 million homes in Great Britain, and a significant proportion of these are uninsulated.

You can identify solid walls by examining the external brickwork pattern. If your home has solid walls, the bricks will have an alternating pattern, with some bricks laid horizontally across the wall, allowing you to see the smaller ends from the outside. Alternatively, measure the wall thickness at a window or door opening.

Types of Solid Wall Insulation Available

There are two main approaches to solid wall insulation, each with distinct advantages:

Internal Wall Insulation: Internal insulation involves adding insulating material to the inside of your home. This method works well when you need to maintain the external appearance of your property; this is most important for properties in conservation areas.

Average Cost: £12,000 based on a 3-bedroom semi-detached house.

External Wall Insulation: External insulation wraps your entire home in a continuous thermal barrier, providing seamless protection against the elements. This method can be more expensive but offers increased thermal performance, and means you don't lose any space in your home.

Average Cost: £18,000 based on a 3-bedroom semi-detached house.

Impressive Energy Savings Potential

The financial benefits of solid wall insulation are substantial. If your home has solid walls, you could save £150 to £550 a year by installing solid wall insulation, according to Which?. For homeowners using gas heating, the annual savings would be around £320 on heating bills for a typical semi-detached property.

How Solid Wall Insulation Works

Around half of all the heat generated in the home is lost through the walls. This is known as fabric heat loss, which describes the transfer of heat from the inside to the outside of your home, through walls, roofs, and windows. Solid wall insulation creates a barrier that stops heat from escaping through your walls, resulting in improved energy efficiency.

The insulation works continuously, maintaining internal temperatures and reducing the demand on your heating system.

Free Home Insulation Through Government Schemes

The good news for homeowners in Tyneside, Durham and the North East is that solid wall insulation is completely free to eligible homeowners through government funding schemes. The ECO4 scheme specifically supports solid wall insulation projects for eligible households.

To qualify for fully funded housing insulation, you must own your own home or have the landlord's permission, and you must meet certain criteria related to benefits received or household income. These schemes recognise that solid wall insulation is a significant investment and aim to make energy efficiency improvements accessible to those who need them most.

North East Insulation Services can assess your eligibility and guide you through the application process. As ECO4 registered installers, we can determine whether you qualify for funding and, if so, install the measures at no cost to you.

Why Choose Professional Installation?

Quality installation is critical for the success of solid wall insulation. Poorly installed insulation can lead to serious problems, including damp, mould, and damage to your property. At North East Insulation Services, we hold the TrustMark certification and have extensive experience delivering solid wall insulation projects throughout the region.

Professional installation guarantees that your insulation performs as expected, helping you avoid issues such as thermal bridging (weak points in the insulation that allow cold air to enter the property), inadequate ventilation, or moisture problems that can arise from poor workmanship.

Long-term Value and Benefits

Beyond immediate energy savings, housing insulation offers additional benefits.

Higher Market Value

With 52% of people stating that energy efficiency is a big priority, it should come as no surprise that homes with good energy performance tend to see increased property value and sell faster.

Improved Comfort and Benefit to Health

The improved comfort levels make homes more enjoyable to live in, eliminating cold rooms and reducing condensation risks, which minimises associated illnesses such as circulatory problems, arthritis, and respiratory conditions.

Reduced Costs

Solid wall insulation protects against future energy price increases. Once installed, solid wall insulation delivers savings year after year, making it a worthwhile investment.

Environmental Impact

Solid wall insulation also contributes significantly to reducing your carbon footprint. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that effective wall insulation can cut household carbon emissions by substantial amounts annually. For environmentally conscious homeowners, this is an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to climate goals while enjoying personal financial benefits.

Take Action Today

If you're tired of high energy bills and a cold home, wall insulation for solid walls could transform your property's performance. The investment, particularly when funded through government schemes, delivers impressive returns through reduced heating costs and enhanced comfort, as well as environmental benefits.

Ready to discover if you qualify for free solid wall insulation?

Get in touch to find out if you meet the criteria for fully funded housing insulation. As ECO4 registered installers with extensive experience in internal and external solid wall insulation, we can assess your eligibility and provide expert installation if you qualify for funding. Don’t spend another year in the cold – find out how solid wall insulation could transform your home's energy efficiency completely free of charge.