Spray foam insulation, also known as Icynene foam, offers the best type of cavity wall insulation if you want to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Long-lasting, highly-effective and environmentally-friendly, spray foam insulation makes cavity wall insulation easy. Leaving no gaps once installed, cavity wall spray foam’s effectiveness is unrivalled for heat retention however high performance means it’s not suitable for every property. Indeed, installed in the wrong place, spray foam cavity wall insulation could do serious damage. Here’s all you need to know about why spray foam is the best type of cavity wall insulation and how to ensure you avoid its downsides. Why insulate a cavity wall? Why cavity wall insulation? Unless your property is new, cavity walls are an old insulation device that’s easy to upgrade. Composed of two walls with a gap in between, cavity walls were intended to keep the damp from getting into a property and both heat and sound from escaping. Today, as we seek to improve the energy efficiency of our homes and businesses, cavity walls pose an excellent opportunity to bolster insulation. Filled with the purpose of keeping a greater quantity of heat inside your home, with the best type of cavity wall insulation in place you’ll find it takes less energy to keep your home warm, thus lowering your energy bills. How much could I save with cavity wall insulation installed? In fact, the Guardian estimates you could save as much as 40% of the energy you produce with cavity wall insulation installed, if your home is detached. According to the Energy Saving Trust, those reductions for a detached house are equivalent to around £2400 in savings every year. The amount you’ll recoup with effective cavity wall insulation in place will depend on the size of your home. So for a moderate-sized mid-terraced house you could be looking at savings of around £640 or £410 for an average-sized flat . At the same time, of course, you’ll also reduce the amount of carbon emissions which escape into the atmosphere from your home, further aiding your reductions in household carbon emissions. Most properties in the UK do have cavity walls but if your home was built after the 1990s or before the 1930s you’ll probably have solid walls in place (with cavity wall insulation already installed for those built post-1990). Always ask a professional cavity wall insulation installer to check whether your property has cavity walls. Why is spray foam the best cavity wall insulation? Spray foam is the best type of cavity wall insulation because it provides the most compact fit. Consisting of liquid plastic which expands when dispensed, spray foam is impenetrable and long-lasting. You may also hear cavity wall insulation spray foam called Icynene spray foam. Icynene are the world’s leading spray foam brand so they’ve become synonymous with the product. However there are a range of brands and types available. Made from polyurethane, spray foam cavity wall insulation offers superb energy efficiency because it can expand into even the most awkward spaces. With every gap filled, no heat is able to can escape once spray foam has been installed. Such a supreme level of insulation also delivers: sound-proofing, resistance against all types of weather and toxins present in the air. On top of that, spray foam cavity wall insulation is highly durable, providing up to 30 years service with no further maintenance required. The hardwearing substance hardens quickly and is environmentally-friendly. This impressive roster of advantages are the reasons why spray foam insulation’s performance can’t be beat. However outstanding performance is also the reason why spray foam insulation isn’t right for every property. Is spray foam cavity wall insulation suitable for my home? The suitability of spray foam cavity wall insulation for any property must be assessed by a BBA-approved cavity wall insulation installer. In fact, cavity wall spray foam can only be installed by a professional spray foam insulation installer. Before any spray foam can be applied to a cavity wall, loft, floor or anywhere in a property, the building must undergo a full survey. The survey must be administered by a BBA-approved cavity wall insulation installer. During the survey, your qualified installer will assess whether cavity wall insulation is best for your home and which type is most suitable. The survey will involve assessments of the level of humidity in your home, any insulation already present, the quality of ventilation and more. Types of spray foam cavity wall insulation There are two types of spray foam insulation on the market: Open cell spray foam Closed cell spray foam The two types of cavity wall spray foam insulation take their name from the bubble structure of the foam created. Open cell spray foam is softer and sound-proof but will let water vapour through. Meanwhile closed cell spray foam has tightly-packed bubbles which form a harder foam that resists both moisture and air. What are the problems with spray foam? If you do not have spray foam installed by a qualified expert you could run into serious problems. Installation of the wrong type of spray foam or poor placement of the cavity wall insulation foam could cause terrible condensation issues. Don’t forget spray foam insulation is permanent so moisture-retention problems could lead to rotted timbers, compromising the structure of your home. As the best type of cavity wall insulation available, spray foam insulation does cost more to install than mineral wool or polystyrene insulation beads, for example. However, with cavity wall spray foam lasting around 30 years that cost is quickly recouped within the first 5 years. For spray foam insulation or other top solutions to make your London home or business more energy efficient, give us a call today on 0207 272 2259 or send us a message.

Air source heat pumps are an all-round solution to the multi-layered practical requirements we have for low carbon heating systems here in the UK but are they worth it in the long run? Not only do air source heat pumps provide the high-performing, flexible, on-demand service we need to suit hectic family life, they are also simple to install. Indeed, once a heat pump system is in place, you can continue with existing family routines with the benefit of knowing you’re no longer pumping out high levels of toxic carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Whilst these advantages sound great - what about the other side of the coin? What about energy bills and running costs? How energy efficient are air source heat pumps and will they really save you money if you compare running costs with a gas boiler? Air source heat pumps are a heating solution that’s built for the future so drawing comparisons about how worthwhile they are isn’t straightforward and you need to know what’s on the horizon to understand the value heat pumps offer. Let’s take a closer look at whether air source heat pumps are really worth it? Are air source heat pumps energy efficient? The energy efficiency of air source heat pumps really are worth noting because they come in at around 350%. Compare that figure to the 90% efficiency of a traditional gas boiler and you can see how savings can be found. So what about energy costs when switching from a gas boiler to an air source heat pump which uses a proportion of electricity to run? Are air source heat pumps cheaper to run than a gas boiler? It’s impossible to consider running costs for air source heat pumps without recognising our energy costs and attitudes towards fossil fuel use are changing. A low carbon future is already on the way. One of the fall-outs of low carbon changes is that gas prices will become ever-more expensive whilst electricity costs decline. In its March 2017 Energy Prices and Bills Committee Report, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) outlined the degree to which gas prices were predicted to rise by 2030. Back then, the Climate Change Committee’s predictions were that ‘rising wholesale gas prices’ and other factors ‘could add over £200’ to domestic bills. Today, we know economic factors alone mean future gas price rises are likely to be even bigger. Indeed, our changing attitudes to fossil fuel use here in the UK was highlighted by a 2021 IPSOS poll. The study found 84% of Brits are prepared to make lifestyle changes to address climate change. Meanwhile, 81% are in favour of replacing gas and fossil fuels with low carbon energy sources . Likewise, future government energy agendas, at home and abroad, are set to swing in the favour of heat pump owners. Here in the UK, for example, gas boilers are already set to be phased out for new build properties by 2025 with further plans to end new gas boiler installations by 2035. On the other hand, the UK government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme will reward you with a £5000 grant to cut installation and purchase costs for a new heat pump. More about the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. With all this in mind, we can’t compare running costs for gas boilers and air source heat pumps without considering the degree to which prices will change in favour of electricity in future. So how do running costs compare? Will an air source heat pump save me money? Comparing the running costs for a gas boiler and a heat pump system (which partly runs on electricity) is not a clear cut task. That’s because the real question is how much energy will you use when you install an air source heat pump. Here’s why: You’ll use less energy with an air source heat pump installed because it runs at a far higher level of efficiency than a gas boiler meaning you’ll pay less for your energy use. Remember an air air source heat pump offers an efficiency rate of 350% whilst a gas boiler delivers 90%. If you use a heating and hot water system that’s powered by another type of fossil fuel, such as oil, your savings are likely to be even greater. Here’s how gas and heat pump systems compare in terms of cost per kWh. Air source heat pumps vs Gas boiler running costs

Solar photovoltaic panels or solar PV are solar panels which can be used to generateelectricity for homes and businesses. Increasingly popular, solar PV panels offer a practicaland flexible renewable system that’s rapidly growing in popularity. Fitting easily into contemporary lifestyles, solar PV panels don’t need it to actually be sunnyoutside to work. They transform direct sunlight into electricity so solar PV panels will stillwork on a cloudy day – essential for the changeable weather we have here in the UK. Steadily growing in popularity since the 1990s, solar PV systems are set to play an importantrole in our low carbon future. Lasting for decades with affordable purchase and installation costs, solar PV systems are super-easy to maintain and pretty much look after themselves. Here’s all you need to know about what solar PV is, the benefits it can offer you and the costs involved in installation. Solar PV: What is it? What is Solar PV? Solar photovoltaic panels (solar PV for short) take their name from the photovoltaic effect which is where light is transformed into electricity. Absorbing light through panels made from materials which are semi-conductors, such as silicon, solar PV can generate electricity to power homes and businesses. Solar PV panels come in a wide range of sizes and are most commonly installed on top of roofs. They can be made from: Microcrystalline: Formed from single crystals of silicon, microcrystalline solar panels are expensive because they offer superb efficiency, with the power to produce energy in all seasons. Microcrystalline panels are easy to identify because they are black. Polycrystalline: Composed of many silicon crystals, polycrystalline solar panels are quicker to manufacture making them more affordable. However, polycrystalline offers a lower level of efficiency so these blue solar panels are better for use in areas where levels of sunlight are high. Thin Film: Offering low efficiency, thin film solar panels are integrated or mounted onto panes of glass for use in things like windows or power stations. The history of solar PV panels The earliest use of photovoltaic energy was back in 1839 when the photovoltaic effect was used to create the first solar cell. Take a look at the rooftops in your local area and you’ll be surprised at how popular solar PV panels have become, accounting for around 3% of energy produced worldwide. Installation has grown since the 1990s with a sharp uptick in the number of PV systems in use in domestic homes in recent years. In fact, solar PV is now the third most popular type of renewable energy after wind and water. As we get closer to our low carbon future, numbers are set to rise because solar PV is easy to install and use, offering the flexibility we need for modern living. How do solar PV panels work? A solar panel consists of a collection of up to 96 solar cells able to produce around 275 watts of electricity as a collective. Finished with robust glass, each cell inside a solar PV panel absorbs light from the sun, energising the electrons (or other type of charged particle) contained inside to create an electric current. Solar panels can be installed on the: ground, wall, roof or as a floating installation. Solar PV vs Solar thermal Solar PV panels are not to be confused with solar thermal panels. Although they may look similar when installed on the roof of a property, the two types of solar panels each perform their own function. Solar PV panels generate electricity whilst solar thermal panels use heat from the sun to heat water for domestic or commercial use. Just to confuse the matter, if you wanted an all-round solar heating system you could install both PV and thermal panels to provide your heating and hot water. Solar PV panels cost around £1000 more to install than solar thermal panels. However, solar PV panels are the most practical option because they’ll remain effective in any season. Why use Solar PV panels? The benefits of using solar PV panels are many, here’s the top four advantages solar PV offers: Low costs: Not only is light from the sun free and ever-present, solar PV panels are also likely to require no further maintenance once installed. With installation possible from as little as £1000 and an ever-growing number of green grants available from the government, solar PV panels are an excellent low cost option. Reduce carbon consumption: Solar-powered energy means you’ll lower your household carbon consumption aiding the fight to slash global greenhouse gas emissions. Suitable in all weathers: Absorbing light from the sun, you can use solar PV panels all year without worry. Fits easily into existing lifestyles: The most popular location for the installation of solar PV panels are on the roof which means eliminates the inconvenience of extensive work inside your home. Once installed, you can continue to enjoy electricity as you did before. If required, you could install a hybrid system which enables you to use solar energy alongside a second back-up option, if necessary. Talk to an expert about the best solar PV system for your home. How much do solar PV panels cost to install? One of the great things about solar panels are that they are installed as panels so you can create arrays with a bespoke number of solar panels to both fit your roof and budget. Of course, you need to ensure the number of solar panels you install will provide a sufficient quantity of electricity for your home so talk to an expert installer to understand how many panels you’ll realistically need. Have you heard about the Home Upgrade Scheme (HUG) Grant? You could get money off the cost to purchase and install solar PV panels if you’re eligible. Currently it’s open to those with household incomes of less than £30,000. Discover more about the HUG Scheme. On average, UK homeowners tend to spend around £1000 - £6000 to purchase and install solar PV panels on the roof of their home. Give us a call today to learn more about solar PV panel installation or other renewable ways to power your London home or business. Call us today on 0207 272 2259 or send us a message.

The Home Upgrade Scheme will enable UK residents to apply for free wall insulation, roofinsulation and heating replacement until 2025. Why? Energy efficient solutions have multiple layers of benefits. On top of cutting carbon emissions, improving the energy efficiency of your home could help you knock at least a couple of hundred pounds off your energy bill. With energy costs rising fast and Net Zero ever closer, sealing the gaps in your home is more appealing than ever. Here’s all you need to know about what the Home Upgrade Scheme (HUG) is, who can apply and how. Home Upgrade Grant Scheme (HUG): What is it? What is the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) Scheme? The Home Upgrade Grant is a UK government scheme, launched in February 2022, to help UK residents make their homes more energy efficient. Available to both homeowners and renters, under the scheme you can apply to your local authority for free wall and roof insulation as well as a replacement heating system which is more energy efficient. The grant award amount varies according to the local authority you apply to. You could get as much as £5000 to cover the cost of installation as well as the home survey which must be completed as part of the work. There’s flexibility in the type of insulation you choose for your walls and roof as well as the energy efficient heating system you opt for. For example, you could upgrade to a renewable heating system which would be a great way to ensure your home is future-ready or choose solar panels or cavity wall insulation. The government has set aside £67 million for HUG grants at present plus a further £883 million to be allocated over the next three years. At present, the scheme is scheduled to end in 2025. Who is the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) Scheme for? The scheme is currently only open to some of England’s 333 local authorities. You can find a full list below. You must be a resident of an eligible local authority to apply. First preference is given to residents with low incomes. Applicants for the scheme may: have no connection to the gas grid at present because, for example, they may be living off-grid. be currently receiving benefits from the government. possess an Energy Performance Certificate graded for band D, E, F or G. Applicants must: have a household income of less than £30,000. agree to have a home survey completed for their property. live in an eligible borough. Which boroughs is the HUG scheme currently open to? The HUG scheme is currently open to residents of the following boroughs: Barnsley Blackpool Bristol Broadland Calderdale Cambridge & Peterborough Cambridge City Carlisle City Castle Point Central Bedfordshire Cheshire City of Bradford City of York Colchester Cornwall County Devon County Ealing East Lindsey East Riding of Yorkshire Hartlepool Hastings Leicester City Liverpool City Barking and Dagenham Newcastle Upon Tyne North Yorkshire Northumberland Nottingham City Oxfordshire Plymouth Portsmouth Redbridge Greenwich Sedgemoor Sevenoaks Sheffield City South Derbyshire Stroud Tess Valley Wakefield Walsall  Warwick West Suffolk Find the full list of eligible boroughs on the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy’s website. What is the purpose of the Home Upgrade Scheme? Fast-rising prices of electricity and gas are a major concern for all of us. Improving the energy efficiency of the walls and floors in a property goes some way to helping to reduce the amount of wasted energy which can escape through the walls, floor, roof and windows of your home. Improving insulation Poorly insulated walls can be responsible for as much as 35 – 45% of the heat lost from your home, the roof around 20%, making both top places for heat loss in the home. Tackling both areas as well as installation of a more energy efficient heating system will provide tangible improvements in energy costs whilst lowering the household carbon footprint. How much can I save? Around 4,300 homes are expected to take advantage of the first sums available, with the figure steadily increasing in the coming years. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy have suggested it may be possible to slash around £200 off your annual heating bill by improving your wall and floor insulation whilst upgrading your heating system for one that’s more efficient. Obviously any savings will change according to your household energy use, the size of your home, the quality of your existing insulation etc. These are the type of small steps we will each find ourselves taking over the coming years and decades as we move towards a fossil fuel-free lifestyle. According to Lord Callanan, the Business and Energy Minister, the Home Upgrade Scheme ‘ will make a real difference to thousands of low-income households – saving them up to £200 a year on their energy bills through upgrades like better insulation.’ 1 Whilst it’s available, government grants like this should be snapped up quickly because they typically only last for a few years. When will the HUG scheme be open to all UK residents? We are currently in the first phase of the scheme so there are no details available at pesent about who else the scheme will open to in the coming years. With more than 10 times the original amount to be dished out before 2025 and Net Zero a pressing concern, it looks likely the government are planning to assess take up from the first phase whilst monitoring fuel prices, before setting terms for the next phase. Operating a bit like a hardship fund for energy efficiency, it makes sense to see how things progress over the course of the year. The scheme falls under the remit of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy so keep an eye on their website for updates on the scheme, which I’m sure will be announced in the winter. Give us a call today to learn more about the HUG Scheme or other ways you can make your London home or business more efficient. Call us today on 0207 272 2259 or send us a message.

Between their popularity with consumers around the world and heavy backing from the UK government, heat pumps are set to become a familiar fixture in our homes and businesses as we embrace more sustainable lifestyles. Heat pumps are contemporary innovations so it’s no surprise customers often have numerous questions. One of the most common, is about whether heat pumps work with existing radiators. Another, is often about whether a heat pump requires underfloor heating instead of a radiator. From using existing radiators with heat pumps to underfloor heating and how to upgrade your radiators for energy efficiency, here’s all you need to know about using heat pumps with radiators.

It wasn’t long ago renewable energy looked somewhat out of reach as a realistic option for the masses but fast-growing numbers of heat pumps in homes across the world mean clean energy is a possibility for all. The multiple practical advantages heat pumps offer have seen heat pumps win over consumers in increasing numbers, at a rate expected to multiply exponentially in coming years. Demand coupled with backing by world governments, the UK’s Net Zero 2050 deadline and rapidly changing attitudes towards fossil fuel consumption have made accessibility a quickly-decreasing issue. Indeed, the reality of rising fuel costs, future government levies on fossil fuels and our 2035 cut off for the installation of gas boilers in new homes means the widespread presence of heat pumps in UK homes and businesses is already in motion. With air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps quickly proving the best options for users around the world, let’s see how the two compare in terms of usefulness for our day to day heating needs here in the UK.