Attic Insulation is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways of improving the energy efficiency of any home. The attic is one of the largest sources of heat escaping from a property, and reducing that should be the first priority for home upgrades
Installing attic insulation has many benefits in the comfort and warmth it brings to a home, and its potential to save money on energy bills.
There is a lot for homeowners to consider, however, on how they want their attic insulated, and the different insulation products which can be used.
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What is Attic Insulation
Attic Insulation consists of adding layers of insulation to the internal surface of your attic and roof to prevent heat from escaping.
Up to 30% of your home’s heat can be lost through the roof, so this should be one of the first steps taken for anyone looking to make their home more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.
There are two main areas where you can add insulation to your attic:
The effectiveness of insulation used in your attic is typically measured through either its R-value or its U-value. A higher R-value is good, whereas the lower the U-value the better the result.
An R-value, expressed as Km²/W measures the thermal resistance of an insulation material, how good it is at blocking heat from passing through.
The U-value, expressed as W/m²K, measures how much heat passes through an area. This takes into account more values in the complete project such as the thickness of the insulation layer, and other factors.
Do I Need Attic Insulation
If you have an attic in your home there’s a good chance that there will already be some insulation present. Fiberglass insulation is typically the most common older type of insulation, and can typically be found laid between ceiling joists in the attic.
But even if you already have insulation, that doesn’t mean you should disregard improvements in that area. Having a thicker layer of insulation, or adding more modern insulation can drastically improve how much heat can be kept in your home.
The existing insulation should be inspected to see if it is damaged or degraded. If so, it might need to be removed. If not, fresh insulation can be laid on top of it.
If your home doesn’t have any insulation in the attic, more likely with older buildings, then it’s an even easier choice to make.
How Much Can You Save With Attic Insulation
Attic Insulation at either the loft or rafter, or both, can deliver massive savings on heating bills by reducing the amount of heat lost through the roof.
As much as 20-30% of a home’s heat is lost through the roof, meaning that a fully insulated attic can cut hundreds of euros from heating bills each year.
The exact amount of those savings will depend on the quality and thickness of the insulation installed, and what a homeowner’s heating bills are.
Property Type | Heating Requirements | Heating Bill Reduction | Annual Savings |
Apartment | 7,480kWh | 20% | €167 |
30% | €251 | ||
Mid-Terrace | 7,699kWh | 20% | €172 |
30% | €258 | ||
End-Terrace | 8,635kWh | 20% | €193 |
30% | €289 | ||
Semi-Detached | 9,875kWh | 20% | €221 |
30% | €331 | ||
Detached | 13,563kWh | 20% | €303 |
30% | €454 |
*Heating figures based on household gas consumption in 2020. Source Central Statistics Office
** Energy Bills calculated based on Bord Gais price of 11.17c per kWh with 2% discount
Benefits of Attic Insulation
When considering home insulation, the following factors should be considered.
Types of Attic Insulation
There are two main ways of installing attic insulation in a pitched roof building. The first of these is loft insulation, laid down between and on top of the joists at the ceiling level. The second is at the rafter level, with insulation placed between the rafter joists.
Installing Attic Insulation in Your Home
Installing Attic Insulation is the easiest and least disruptive insulation method which can be done on a home. The installation process can be completed in a single day depending on what works are being done.
The first step which needs to be done ahead of time is to make sure the loft space is cleared so that there are no obstructions.
How Much Does Attic Insulation Cost
The cost of having your attic insulated will depend on numerous factors related to the size of the area and the insulation being used. The final price of the project can be determined by:
The insulation material you choose will have the most impact on the final price. While selecting a cheaper option might give some savings up front, you must also consider their thermal performance.
Selecting a cheaper insulation option might seem like a good decision up front, but it will reduce the amount you can save on your heating bills. Some materials might also have shorter lifespans than their more expensive counterparts.
The cost of insulation materials for your attic per m² will fit in the average range of:
The exact cost of the materials will depend on the thickness of the layer of insulation being put down. This is only the cost of the materials, the full cost per m² will also include labour, which will add significant expenditure.
The cost of attic insulation can vary anywhere from €600 – €4,000 depending on the size of your attic and the material used.
Rafter insulation for a pitched roof will typically cost more, with a larger surface than the base of the attic, and with more expensive polystyrene and spray foam insulation as more popular materials.
These are only rough estimates and are subject to change based on the cost of materials and each individual property.
Attic Insulation Grants
The SEAI provides grant funding for homeowners to help homeowners with the cost of having insulation installed in their attic and rafters.
These grants are available for all homeowners, including private landlords, so long as the home was built and occupied prior to 2011.
Insulation Type | Grant Value |
Attic Insulation | Apartment (Any) – €800 Mid-Terrace House – €1,200 Semi-Detached/End-Terrace – €1,300 Detached House – €1,500 |
Rafter Insulation | Apartment (Any) – €1,500 Mid-Terrace House – €2,000 Semi-Detached/End-Terrace – €3,000 Detached House – €3,000 |
Homeowners who make use of grants for attic or rafter insulation through the Better Energy Homes scheme are required to achieve a final U-value of 0.16 W/m²K for ceiling insulation or 0.20 W/m²K for rafter insulation.
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