FAQs
Answering your questions
1. I’ve heard heat pumps only work in modern, well - insulated homes. Is this true?
No, if done properly, heat pumps can be installed in all sorts of homes, but it’s true that the more energy-efficient your home is, the more efficiently your heat pump will run and the lower your energy bills will be. That’s why we recommend that you install as many insulation and airtightness improvements as your budget will allow before installing a heat pump. You may also need to replace some of your radiators to compensate for the fact that the water circulating in a heat pump system is cooler than from a gas boiler (but still warm enough to heat your home). Our heat pump installer will assess the radiator upgrades required and include these in their final quote.
2. Are you independent, or will you try to sell me a specific product?
We are 100% independent. Unlike a double-glazing salesman or a boiler installer, we aren't trying to shift stock. Our loyalty is to you and your home. We look at the data and recommend what your property actually needs, whether that’s a heat pump, insulation, or simply better ventilation. If an upgrade isn't right for your home, we will tell you.
3. Do I have to do all the work at once?
Not at all. In fact, we often recommend a "staged" approach. Our Whole House Plan gives you a master roadmap for your home. You might choose to do the "quick wins" (like loft insulation) now, and save the bigger jobs (like a heat pump) for a few years down the line. The plan ensures that whatever you do today is compatible with what you do tomorrow.
4. Should I avoid insulating my cavity walls?
No, but you should make sure you use a competent, responsible installer who will do the job right. Most of the issues relate to dampness issues caused by installing cavity wall insulation in the wrong location or with inappropriate materials.
One issue is exposed locations where wind-driven rain hits one side of the house. Our installers will check your location to ensure it is suitable for cavity wall insulation.
Another issue is cavities that are unsuitable for insulation, either because it is too narrow or because it is filled with materials such as mortar and rubble. Our installers will check the cavities in your walls to ensure they are suitable for insulation.
A final issue is inappropriate materials that wick moisture from the outer leaf of the wall, which is exposed to the elements, to the inner leaf, which should remain dry. Our installers will only use appropriate materials.
5. Do problems with solid wall insulation mean it’s a bad idea?
Again, no; but it is important to use a Retrofit Coordinator with experience of working on older homes and installers who know which materials to use and, just as importantly, have a proven track record of installing them.
Some of the issues that have been reported in the retrofit industry: Use of inappropriate insulation systems on traditional solid walls. Solid walls are designed to ‘breathe’ – to allow water vapour to move freely. Problems tend to arise when impermeable materials (e.g., insulation, plaster, render) are used, trapping moisture inside walls.
Poor design or installation of insulation systems. Specific issues can include failure to protect the insulation system from the elements, e.g. allowing rainwater to get into or behind the insulation. Insulation of damp walls. If walls have existing dampness issues, it’s important to fix them at source with an appropriate solution and allow the walls adequate time to dry out before installing insulation. Hiding the problem behind new layers is never a good idea.
Problems caused by inadequate ventilation. Many homes, particularly older ones, have an inadequate ventilation system but are draughty, and these two factors have cancelled each other out. When homes are insulated or made more airtight, this inadequate ventilation can become a problem, leading to issues like high humidity, poor air quality, condensation, mould, health issues like asthma and allergies, and even structural issues like dry or wet rot. This is why it is essential to include a ventilation upgrade when installing energy efficiency measures.