Internal Wall Insulation – Home Energy Efficiency, Installation and Cost

Internal wall insulation involves adding thermal insulation to the inside surfaces of external walls in a home. Compared to uninsulated walls leaking heat, internal wall insulation can make a dramatic difference in energy efficiency and comfort. But is it right for your home?

The Thermal Case for Internal Insulation

Older UK homes with solid walls often have very poor insulation. Heat flows readily through the brick, stone or concrete, allowing warmth to escape outside. Internal wall insulation creates a thermal break inside the wall to retain this heat.

Well-installed internal insulation reduces heat loss through walls by up to 50%. The home requires less energy to heat, cutting energy bills and carbon emissions.

But does external insulation perform better? External insulation does offer superior thermal performance, as it envelops the entire wall. But in many cases, the difference is smaller than expected. And for some period buildings, internal options avoid risks to façades.

Weighing Disruption Against Performance

While external wall insulation involves significant work outdoors, internal insulation limits disturbance inside the home. This makes it preferable when:

• The external appearance of a historical building must be conserved.
• Wall access is limited outside due to boundaries, extensions etc.
• Budget is constrained and the priority is thermal comfort inside.

The downside? Loss of a small amount of internal space. And more uncertainty around vapour control to avoid condensation risks.

Overall, the reality is that internal wall insulation provides meaningfully improved efficiency with manageable disruption. For many homeowners, that’s an appealing balance.

Installation Methods and Materials

From stud-frame insulation systems to bonded boards, there are diverse installation methods to suit different walls and budgets. Factors like moisture risks, wall construction and planned decoration influence material choice.

While professional installation is recommended, especially for solid walls, DIY is possible for competent homeowners. This can reduce costs, but poor technique risks performance problems.

Careful design and workmanship is critical to prevent insulation creating cold spots and condensation issues. But done properly, internal insulation delivers excellent returns on investment through energy savings.

An Investment in Comfort

Quantifying energy and carbon savings is important. But the qualitative impacts matter too – warmer walls radiating heat gently into each room. No longer drafty and chilly. Investing in internal insulation means investing in the comfort of your home and quality of life indoors.

With options to suit many buildings, internal wall insulation deserves consideration alongside external solid wall insulation. A fabric first approach, it can provide the foundation for a cozy, efficient home.