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Here is probably the ultimate "No-brainer"...

Sunday 21st February 2010

The Government is even running a poster campaign to publicise it, but just for once they are right!

Everyone remembers learning in school physics lessons how heat rises. As a result, a large proportion of that expensive heating we use in our homes during the winter rises upwards through the house, into the loft - and straight out through the roof.  Great for the pigeons, but certainly not for our wallets.

Until the 1973 Middle East Yom Kippur War, also known as the "Six-Day War", energy was relatively cheap and loft insulation was not generally considered worthwhile.  Afterwards, crude oil prices soared and a 25mm (1") layer was recommended. As energy costs continued to rise, so did the recommended thickness.  Currently, it stands at 200mm (8"). Fortunately, the cost of loft insulation has tunbled, almost beyond belief.  This is partly due to Government subsidy, but also to the ready availability of a cheap raw material from which to make it.

The best loft insulation has always been glass-fibre.  Since glass bottles and jars etc. are now collected for recycling, rather than being dumped in landfill, there is a vast amount of scrap glass available.  However, most of it is a mixture of different colours and is thus of little use where clear glass is required, which unfortunately accounts for most packaging applications.  For loft insulation, on the other hand, all that matters is its thermal insulation properties and its visual appearance is entirely irrelevant.

At one time, glass fibre loft insulation had a well-deserved reputation as "bulk itching powder".  A facemask, goggles, gloves and old clothes were essential when installing it.  Indeed, it was usually necessary to throw the clothes away afterwards.  Modern technology, in addition to producing amuch cheaper product, has also made it much more user-friendly.

It is still sensible to wear a facemask, goggle and gloves, but the clothes can now be washed and the insulation can be handled without itching-related problems.  A shower or hot bath is still necessary afterwards, of course!

The "No-brainer"?  B&Q are selling triple packs of 200mm own-brand loft insulation for £5.  That's right, £5 for three rolls, not £5 each.  A typical loft will need about 8 triple packs, costing £40 in all.  Adding on £10 for a facemask, goggles and gloves gives a total cost of £50.  The annual saving at today's enegry costs is reckoned to be over £150!  It is a well-known saying that there are two certainties in life - death and
taxation.  Perhaps a third should be added - energy costs will continue to rise and rise!