Areas of the home that should never be sealed off

Winter is always like a game of chicken: you have to see how long you can last before turning the heating up full blast. If this sounds like you, then you’ve probably already been looking for ways to improve the insulation in your home. But in your quest to save on your energy bills, it’s worth noting that there are some parts of your home that shouldn’t be insulated.

If insulation is installed incorrectly or in the wrong locations, it can do more harm than good. Although there are a number of places that you should definitely consider when it comes to how to insulate your homethere are some that should never be isolated.

1. Near or adjacent to heaters, boilers and radiators.

As you might expect, you should avoid placing insulation too close to best electric heaters or boilers as this can cause a number of problems. “Insulating too close to these devices can cause them to overheat, resulting in equipment failure, system inefficiency, or even a fire hazard. These spaces require adequate ventilation to properly dissipate heat,” says Mike Storey, an insulation expert at the company. UK flat roofing and insulation specialists.

It is also vital that the space around the boiler flues is kept clear, as blocking them can interfere with ventilation and create a safety hazard. Insulation around radiators and other heating methods can also “reduce their effectiveness at heating rooms because they need good airflow to circulate heat effectively,” says Gary Jarman, a building expert at the company. Construction store.

Boiler in the closet

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2. Around the vents

Vents can often make our homes a little colder, especially in the fall and winter when temperatures begin to drop. But “although they may sense a draft, you should never cover the vents with insulation or use draft-proofing materials to block them.” MyJobQuote.co.ukThis is reported by US real estate and construction expert Thomas Goodman.

“This includes vents on chimney chestin the roof and air bricks under suspended ceilings. Blocking them prevents air movement, which traps moisture,” he continues. And this can lead to serious damp problems in the long term.

Kitchen with exposed brick wall and copper wall lights.

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3. Over electrical cables and wiring.

‘Loft insulation wiring is another challenge,” says Mark Glennie, founder Stair lift store. “In general, you can lightly cover electrical cables, but don’t pack them too tightly with insulation,” he continues. This is because wiring needs space to dissipate heat, and packing insulation tightly around or over cables or wiring can increase the risk of overheating. So, you need to check “the type of insulation and make sure it meets British Standards – there’s a reason there are guidelines for safe distances between insulation and electrical components.” And many experts agree with this opinion.

“Coating your wiring with attic insulation is generally okay, but you need to make sure your wiring is rated correctly and all junction boxes are properly insulated so they don’t overheat and pose a fire risk,” Becky Lane, co-founder and CEO director Ferbnowagree. “If you are in any doubt, it is always wise to check or update the wiring before installing insulation.”

Not only can this cause wires and cables to overheat, but it “can also reduce the cable’s current carrying capacity,” says Paul Spence, the company’s technical manager. Hot. Essentially, “cables should only be insulated if an electrical expert can confirm that doing so will not result in too significant a reduction in power,” he states.

Bedroom painted gold with bed, fireplace and sofa with antique touches

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4. Hollow walls in old houses

While most cavity walls can be insulated—and it’s probably one of the most common places to add insulation—there are a few cases where it’s best not to, experts agree. For example, did you know that old houses and properties were built with strong walls that breathed? And because these walls control humidity by the flow of air passing through them, “improper cavity wall insulation can lead to condensation problems,” reports David Miloshev, an electrician and home improvement expert at the company. Fantastic services.

If you plan to insulate the cavity walls of an older home, you may need to use breathable insulation materials to maintain this ability.

Dining room with white radiator and wooden dining table with accessories

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5. Floor boards in old houses

Again, this applies primarily to older homes, and Luis Montes, civil engineer, heavy equipment expert and editor-in-chief of the magazine Fortis HDsuggests not insulating voids under the floors in “old houses.” This is because “some older houses in the UK have suspended timber floors with air bricks around the base.” And these air bricks help ventilate the room and prevent moisture accumulation. But once you seal or block off that area, it can cause moisture to build up underneath the floor, which in the worst case scenario will lead to wood rot and even structural problems.

“This mistake cost people expensive repairs,” says Louis.

6. Attic or roof eaves

Blocking them can also lead to condensation, moisture and even mold, “and it’s important to keep them at bay so you don’t jeopardize the life of your roof,” warns Gary. The last thing you want is to have to replace your roof because you didn’t insulate the cornice correctly.

Yellow painted house with red tiles on the roof

(Image credit: Future PLC/Darren Chang)

7. Any wet areas in your home.

There is nothing more unpleasant than dampness or excess moisture and condensation in your home. But if you’re thinking about insulating a room that’s already susceptible to damp, it’s not a good idea.

“If you don’t eliminate the moisture first, the insulation will trap it and lead to mold, mildew or rot. This will, over time, compromise the insulation and reduce its effectiveness, possibly even weakening surrounding structures,” says Mike.

So it’s important fix any moisture problems before even thinking about insulating these parts of your home, as not only can it make the problem worse, but it is essentially wasting time and money by installing any type of insulation before it has been fixed. You may have a leak or something as simple as too much condensation – understand why this is happening before you consider insulating that part of your home.

Yellow bedroom with white bed linen and a silver radiator on the wall under the window

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can too much insulation cause dampness?

“It’s not that you can have too much insulation, but that you can have too little ventilation,” explains Thomas. Essentially, “the wrong type of insulation can also cause dampness. For example, using impermeable insulation under a wood floor will block airflow, leading to moisture buildup that could potentially cause the joists and floorboards to rot. Likewise, old houses are built with strong walls that breathe. So to maintain this ability, you may have to use breathable insulation materials,” adds Thomas.

It’s also important that your walls are in good condition before you start insulating them, otherwise you could make damp problems worse. For example, if you apply rockwool insulation to the inside of walls before correcting existing moisture problems, it will likely sag and lose its insulating properties, as well as begin to mold and make the walls damp.

What parts of your home need insulation?

Although we have outlined some areas that should not be isolated, there are some that can make a big positive difference. According to experts, the most obvious area is the roof or attic because about 25% of a home’s heat is lost through the roof. “It’s also one of the easiest and cheapest places to insulate,” says Thomas. “Blanket insulation costs around £25 and can be installed DIY if you’re on a budget. Or, if you have a vaulted roof, you should add insulation between the rafters instead.” Just be sure to leave room for ventilation.

And given the fact that it could save you hundreds of pounds on your energy bills, it’s worth seriously considering. Another area you may want to pay attention to is your hot water pipes and tanks. By insulating them, you help the entire heating system retain heat, which helps it operate more efficiently and prevents any heat loss that might save money on your accounts.

So, there are quite a few things that you should consider before you start insulating your home, whether through a DIY project or consulting a professional.