Banbury-based business Amazing Lofts is calling for greater investment in raised loft boarding and insulation, warning that poor loft insulation is costing UK households an extra £370 a year in energy costs.
The company says more than eight million homes in the UK exist without any form of loft insulation and that even those with some insulation are often losing heat due to compressed mineral wool.
Banbury MP Sean Woodcock visited Amazing Lofts to learn more about the impact of professionally installed loft insulation and boarding.
Mr Woodcock said: “It was great to visit Amazing Lofts in Banbury and get hands-on experience installing raised boarding.
“Seeing the straightforward difference that proper, uncompressed insulation makes highlights how targeted local solutions can help residents manage energy costs.
“Practical steps like these can be crucial for improving energy efficiency in our homes, and I thank the team at Amazing Lofts for having me along to see this first-hand.”
The call comes as Ofgem announced an increase in its energy price cap, pushing average household bills up by £60 a year from October 1.
Kevin Baker, chief executive of Amazing Lofts, said: “Energy bills have increased by a third in the last decade.
“Despite significant cost of living challenges, millions of us continue to live in properties which only meet basic insulation standards dating back to the 1970s.”
He also advised homeowners to check their insulation isn’t compressed, as this can drastically reduce its effectiveness.
Mr Baker added: “We were pleased to welcome Sean to our Banbury headquarters to explain this and how such investment can help the Government deliver its Warm Homes Plan.”
The National Physical Laboratory found that compressed loft insulation can lose more than half of its thermal performance.
Almost all cases of loft insulation being flattened are caused by households storing seasonal items such as Christmas trees, camping equipment and luggage on top of rolls of mineral wool.
Dave Raval, director of the National Warm Homes Council, said: “Having professionally fitted loft insulation and boarding in your loft space will reduce your energy bills.
“Although the Government’s £15 billion Warm Homes Plan has been rubberstamped with good intention, it will only be effective if the proposed solutions perform in the long-term.
“Raised loft boarding protects insulation from compression, which is why it is critical the Government appreciates a genuine requirement to install boarding above the top line of insulation.”
Mr Raval developed a raised loft system crafted from recycled plastic so homeowners can continue to store their goods without risking damage to their insulation.
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