Hot water cylinder jacketInsulating the hot water tank and pipes around the tank with a good quality cylinder jacket and insulation is a priority measure. Tanks lose a lot of heat otherwise and providing this type of insulation is very inexpensive.
Draught-proofing windows and doors
Draught-proofing windows and doors reduces unwanted ventilation and is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to reduce heat loss.
Loft/roof insulation
Where a home has a pitched roof, insulation should be laid between and over the ceiling joists in the loft space to a depth of at least 10" (250mm). Once installed, air in the loft will be colder so tanks and pipes will also need lagging. The loft hatch should also be insulated. On flat roofs insulation can be installed above or below the roof surface. If a flat felt roof covering has to be replaced, it is very cost effective to have it insulated at the same time by fixing slab insulation on the roof and then recovering with felt.
Floor Insulation
Insulation can be installed under a suspended timber floor, or on top of a solid floor. The cost and level of disturbance make it only worthwhile if renovating a property.
Glazing
Sealed unit double glazing can reduce heat loss through windows by up to 50% (60% with new energy-efficient glass technology). It is very expensive and has a long payback period though it looks good and is low maintenance.Secondary glazing takes several forms. A thin film is the cheapest way to insulate windows, but the film only has a short life span of about a year. Rigid/semi-rigid plastic sheets can be fixed on with Velcro in early autumn and taken off in late spring. Internal wooden framed windows can be constructed on the inside of the existing window. This option is as expensive as sealed unit double glazing but may be an option for homes that are listed and are not able to install sealed unit double glazing.