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With heating costs steadily rising year on year, is it time to get your house in order?
Domestic insulation standards have improved over the years and so too have the technologies and processes that keep your home warmer for longer. External insulation wasn’t always an option for many houses and even 10 years ago, it was an expensive choice that didn’t make sense for many homeowners. But with improved insulating systems and streamlined building methods, people can now halve their annual home heating bills.
External insulation is a bit like that ‘extra jumper’ your father told you to put on in the winter months. It wraps the outside of your home in a protective layer that reduces the dew point of the walls, stopping thermal bridges and keeping your house from leaking its thermal mass.
Be Warmer
Many homes lose up to 30% of their heat, through poorly insulated walls. Whilst cavity wall insulation is a great way of reducing this, it’s not suitable for many homes. That’s where external wall insulation comes in. By improving the building seal, homeowners can get a positive ROI within 10 to 15 years. And with the ever-increasing energy costs, it’s likely this investment will pay off before then.
Rendering is a popular way of applying insulation to buildings and homes. It involves the application of heat-resistant materials like stucco, cement, or clay onto the exterior walls. These materials act as a barrier between the inside and outside environment, helping to keep temperatures within comfortable levels.
Rendering also provides an aesthetically pleasing finish to the home, making it look more attractive and modern. Depending on the materials used, rendering can be very cost-effective and can provide years of protection against extreme temperatures.
It is important to choose the right type of rendering material for your home in order to ensure optimal thermal insulation and protection. The best way to do this is to consult with a qualified professional renderer who can advise on the best materials and installation options for your particular situation. With the right selection of thermal insulation materials, rendering can be an effective way to reduce energy bills and ensure comfortable living conditions all year round.
A Home Upgrade
External insulation gives your home a complete makeover. Whilst the cheapest option to a white render there are many choices to suit your home’s environment and your preference. There are also a range of different finishes, from scrapped texture to roughcast. And a beautiful home is always more attractive on the market should you choose to sell.
Reduce Condensation & Mould
External wall insulation creates a new breathable, waterproof layer that’s low maintenance. It stops water entering the building seal but allows water vapour out giving you a healthier home. This reduces the amount of condensation and stops mould caused by wet walls.
A Quieter Home
Noise pollution can have an awful impact on our well-being and living next to a busy road, we often learn to tune out the ever present roar of cars. It’s still there though and can cause stress levels to rise whether we realise it or not. External wall insulation, when paired with double or triple glazing, can make a significant reduction to noise levels from the outside world.
SEAI Grants
Whilst still not a ‘cheap’ way to insulate your home, Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland have significant grants of up to €6000 making it a much more realistic option. The SEAI estimate that external insulation would benefit 1.7 million home owners across the Republic. And to date, 35,000 homes have taken advantage of the grant scheme.
Energy Efficiency for a Greener World
We are all becoming increasingly aware of the need to reduce our carbon footprint. Whether it’s the increasing number of electric cars on the road, or the call to reduce single use plastic in packaging, the trend in society is toward a less impactful way of living. And having an energy efficient home not only makes financial sense, but also has means that we are living in a more sustainable way to preserve the environment for future generations. Greener.ie are one company encouraging people to make the transition toward a brighter future.
