Insulation 'better than behavioural measures'

Those looking to make their homes eco-friendly should ensure they adopt insulation as it has a more lasting impact than "behavioural" actions, the National Insulation Association has said.

Neil Marshall, chief executive of the organisation, said there had been a high level of media concentration on energy-saving actions such as turning thermostats down a degree or not leaving appliances on standby, yet "they [the media] rarely report on practical measures such as insulation".

He said behavioural actions tend to be short-term responses which people did not continue once the level of publicity fell, whereas installing cavity wall and loft insulation was a more permanent way of making a home more energy-efficient.

Such comments may be of interest to those looking to self build their homes, as the installing insulation is one aspect which they may wish to include in the construction of the property.

Mr Marshall concluded: "With ever increasing living expenses it is more cost effective than ever to insulate your home in order to reduce energy bills."

Figures from the Energy Savings Trust indicate that between 2002 and 2005 800,000 homes in the UK had cavity wall insulation installed, which it said reduced carbon emissions by 400,000 tonnes.


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