WHAT IS IMPORTANT WHEN BUYING AN UNINSULATED HOUSE?*

Buying a house is a big deal, and you need to think about lots of stuff. Imagine this: if the house doesn't have good insulation, things get even trickier. It's like a puzzle that gets harder. People might wonder if it's smart to spend money on a home like that. And what happens if the insulation isn't there? How does it affect how we use the house and our money? Let's dive into these ideas in this article and figure things out together.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR WALLS ARE NOT INSULATED?

The walls of a house are basically like a barrier that separates us from the outside world, which includes all the weather conditions. If they're not well insulated or not insulated at all, something interesting happens – the temperatures on both sides start to match. The inside temperature gets almost as close to the outside temperature as you can imagine. 
It's estimated that walls can lose about 20-30% of the heat. That's quite a lot, almost like a quarter of the gas bill's cost. So, what happens when you buy a house with walls that aren't thermally insulated? The answer is pretty straightforward.

If the walls in your house lack insulation, you should get ready for higher bills, the possibility of mould creeping up on the walls, and, even worse, their quicker deterioration. Later on, this could lead to cracks in the walls, the crumbling of cement, and the rotting of wooden floors inside the house. Buying a house without insulation might not be a good idea unless you plan on insulating it right away. If you're buying a house in the UK, you should consider the additional costs, roughly around £7,000-£8,000. Maybe that doesn't sound like a lot considering the total cost of buying a house, but maths never lies, and every added amount adds up.

WHAT PARTS OF THE HOUSE SHOULD BE INSULATED?

When purchasing a house in the UK, paying special attention to its thermal aspects, particularly its individual parts, is crucial. During inspections, it's wise to start from the top and work your way down to the foundations. There's a reason for this: heat always rises, seeking an escape route upwards. Similarly, when insulating the roof, the warmth will naturally move downwards and attempt to exit through the walls of the house. 
Therefore, one of the most important part to focus on is undoubtedly the roof. The insulation for a UK home should be at least 270mm thick, and if it's lacking, expect additional costs of around £2,000-£3,000.

The next significant part of the building is, of course, its walls. Building regulations set clear standards that we should adhere to. A U-value of 0.28 should be maintained. To achieve this, the walls should be insulated with a minimum insulation thickness of 62.5mm, and ideally, the house could be externally insulated using an External Wall Insulation (EWI) system or K-rend. Insulating this part of the building will ensure thermal tightness and substantial reduction in utility bills.

The third part that should be "insulated" is the windows and doors. Opting for double or triple glazed windows eliminates the risk of cold drafts from the outside. The same applies to external doors. Only insulated external doors provide us with energy savings.

The last part of the building that should be considered for insulation is, of course, the floors and foundations. Heat loss through the floor might be only around 5%, but it can significantly impact our comfort. For instance, we've all been in a room with a very cold floor at least once in our lives. The experience of walking on such an uninsulated surface is easily describable – it's incredibly chilly, and we quickly reach for warm slippers.

WHAT PART OF HOUSE INSULATION IS MOST IMPORTANT?

Whether you've already purchased a house or you're planning to do so, remember that the most critical part of the building that should be insulated is the roof. It's the first line of defence against heat loss, and it's the part of the house that faces external factors like frost and snow head-on. Insulating this area creates a physical barrier between your living space and these weather conditions. Roof insulation also provides an added benefit by soundproofing your home, reducing noise by around 20-30dB.

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH A POORLY INSULATED HOUSE?

Let's imagine a situation where we've purchased a house without any insulation. After first gas bill, we start searching for ways to reduce gas consumption. So, how can we manage in a poorly insulated home?

There are several ways, more or less effective, that can help us deal with a poorly insulated house. One of them involves adjusting our habits. Instead of setting the indoor temperature at 22°C, consider lowering it by half a degree. Over time, we might become accustomed to a temperature of 20°C.

We've discussed this in more detail in an article  WHAT USES A LOT OF GAS IN MY HOUSE?

CONCLUSION

As we've explored the intricacies of this topic, it becomes evident that buying a home without proper insulation requires careful thought and strategic planning.

From the significant heat loss to the potential for mould and structural issues, the consequences of inadequate insulation can be substantial. However, armed with the knowledge we've uncovered, you can make informed choices to mitigate these challenges.

Remember, the roof stands as the primary battleground against heat loss, while walls, windows, and doors play essential roles in maintaining a comfortable indoor environment. Investing in insulation is not just about financial savings but also about enhancing the quality of your living space.

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