cavity wall insulation, does it make much difference?

[Denny185]

We live in a fairly open house and it seems to be cold a lot of the time. We have reinsulated the loft and just about to replace the double glazing and external doors.

The in-laws have offered us some money towards the windows but Im tempted to get them to do the walls instead. Has anyone had it done? how much hassle was it? has it made any difference to the warmth in your house/ heating bills?

You lose much more heat through windows/doors than through walls. Do you need to replace the windows - is there any chance they can be reconditioned, have extra draught excluders put in place? Then perhaps you can do both jobs.

Never lived in a house with a cavity wall so can't say for sure how effective it would be but Energy Saving Trust reckons that it pays for itself in four years and reduces bills by more than 15%.

you can get it done for about £100 - look on energy providers website. in london the mayor gives you cashcack if you do it.

Thanks 4 replies, the windows are the originals on this house (20 years old) and whilst double glazed they are fairly crap, We tried replacing the draft excluders on them last year which made some difference but unfortunately the curtains still move from the draft in some rooms. A couple of the frames have started to split aswell so replacement is the most economical.

Not in London unfortunately, by energy providers do u mean the supplier we use?

If you get certain benefits you can get a grant for cavity wall. Google 'Warm Front'. Some suppliers do their own grants and they don't necessarily have to be your supplier IYSWIM.

Dont get any benefits but will start checking out the suppliers web sites then, thanks.

We had cavity wall insulation done a few weeks ago, and I swear the house feels warmer already even without the heating on.

Our living room faces north and usually feels cooler, with a tiled floor, than the rest of the house.

It's still cooler but I haven't felt my usual urge to put the gas fire on every time I go in there despite this damp weather.

Thanks GE will def look into offers, anything that will save on the heating bills.

What fuel do you use - there are lots of grants for cavity wall insulation - check on here I think, for help

Grant finder here

Wow looks like could get a grant of up to £400 thanks KatyMac