Cheap Insulation: How to Insulate Your House Cheaply

Over 21 million homes in the UK suffer from poor insulation, resulting in up to 35% of heat loss annually. With energy prices already high and expected to rise even further by 2025, many households are feeling the strain. According to GOV.UK, nearly £1 out of every £3 spent on heating goes to waste due to inefficient insulation. Additionally, a Resolution Foundation report shows 25.9% of the UK's carbon footprint comes from heating homes, highlighting insulation's environmental impact.

Despite the clear benefits of improving insulation—cutting energy costs and reducing carbon emissions—the average cost of installing insulation for a three-bedroom semi-detached house is around £12,930. That figure can rise depending on the materials used and the size of the home. Due to high living costs, many UK residents can't afford the upfront expense, despite long-term savings from proper insulation.

The good news is that upgrading your home's insulation doesn't have to come with a hefty price tag. You can make significant improvements without breaking the bank with a bit of creativity, careful research, and strategic planning. This guide will walk you through cheap insulation methods, including DIY projects and budget-friendly materials. We’ll show you how insulating walls, floors, or attics with small investments can lead to significant energy savings over time.

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Improving your house insulation doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Use clever DIY strategies to reduce heat loss and lower energy bills without spending a lot of money. Here are some of the most cost-effective ways to add cheap insulation to your home:

Draught-proofing is one of the most effective and budget-friendly methods to enhance your home's insulation and reduce energy loss. At an average cost of around £180 for full draught-proofing, this cheap insulation solution offers significant savings over time. According to the Energy Saving Trust, draught-proofing can help you save between £35 and £50 per year on heating bills.

Here are some key areas that will benefit from draught-proofing when understanding how to insulate a house cheaply:

Using these cheap insulation techniques can make a noticeable difference in your home's warmth and energy efficiency, all while keeping costs low.

Poorly insulated windows cause up to 10% heat loss, making it essential to explore affordable window insulation methods. Insulating your windows not only minimises drafts and reduces noise but also helps maintain a consistent indoor temperature year-round. Here are 

affordable ways to insulate your home through your windows:

Window films are a cheap insulation solution, costing £15 to £50 per m2, ideal for homeowners on a budget. These transparent sheets reflect radiant heat back into the room, reducing heat loss while allowing natural light. Although less effective than double glazing, window films offer significant improvement at a fraction of the cost.

Easy to install, they enhance energy efficiency quickly with minimal effort, making them ideal for temporary or rental solutions. While not eliminating heat loss, window films provide a budget-friendly way to improve comfort and reduce energy consumption.

Thermal curtains and blinds offer an excellent cheap insulation option for improving your home's energy efficiency. They are thick, insulated fabrics which help retain heat in winter and block excess heat in summer, providing year-round comfort. Typically priced at around £50 per m2, they are a budget-friendly option. However, costs can vary based on design, size, and material.

In addition to being affordable, thermal curtains and blinds are relatively easy to install, making them a practical DIY project. To fully benefit from their insulation, they must stay closed, which can limit natural light during the day. Despite this, they effectively reduce heat loss and energy bills while serving as an attractive, functional window covering.

Secondary glazing adds a glass or acrylic pane inside a single-glazed window, providing effective, affordable insulation. This creates an insulating air layer, reducing heat loss and improving efficiency without replacing the original window. Costing £250 to £500 per window, it offers a budget-friendly alternative to double glazing.

Secondary glazing is particularly beneficial in historic or listed buildings where replacing original windows may be prohibited. Preserving the original windows' appearance while enhancing insulation provides an ideal solution for improving energy efficiency in such properties. Secondary glazing offers improved insulation benefits, making it a cost-effective option without the expense of full window replacement.

A hot water tank is a highly effective yet overlooked area for cheap insulation to improve home energy efficiency. Tanks lose heat when unused, especially in cooler spaces like lofts or basements. Without proper insulation, this heat loss can drive up energy consumption and increase your heating bills.

One of the most straightforward and affordable cheap insulation solutions for hot water tanks is the use of insulating jackets. These jackets, typically made from materials like fibreglass, foam, or reflective foil, wrap around the tank to create a thermal barrier that reduces heat loss. Not only are they simple to install, but they are also a budget-friendly option. Insulating jackets generally cost around £18 in England, Scotland, and Wales, and approximately £30 in Northern Ireland.

Installing an insulating jacket on your hot water tank saves energy, reducing standby heat by 25-45%. In Great Britain, this upgrade saves up to £35 annually, and in Northern Ireland, up to £45. This cheap insulation solution provides a quick, cost-effective way to enhance your home’s energy efficiency and reduce overall heating costs.

Consider radiators' impact on comfort when exploring cheap insulation methods for your home to prevent heat loss. Radiators on external walls lose heat, especially without proper insulation, as heat gets absorbed and escapes outside.

According to Eco Home, up to 40% of the heat from your radiators can be lost through the walls. A simple and affordable way to prevent this heat loss is by insulating your radiators using reflective foil, a highly effective cheap insulation solution.

Reflective foil is a thin, metallic sheet placed behind your radiators. It works by reflecting heat into the room, reducing the warmth the external wall absorbs. This solution is inexpensive and easy to install, as the foil can be cut to fit behind any size radiator. 

Reflective foil insulation typically costs between £12 and £33, depending on the size and thickness. This cheap insulation method reduces heat loss, improves heating efficiency, and lowers energy bills while keeping your home warmer.

Pipe insulation is a crucial yet highly affordable solution when looking for cheap insulation options for your home. This type of insulation costs between £6 to £35 per m2, reducing heat loss by up to 12%, making it a cost-effective way to enhance energy efficiency and reduce heating costs.

Insulating your pipes helps maintain the water temperature as it travels through the system, preventing unnecessary heat loss. Additionally, pipe insulation protects outdoor pipes from freezing, saving you from costly repairs during the winter months. Here are two primary cheap insulation options for pipes:

Both options offer effective and budget-friendly ways to insulate your pipes and improve your home's overall energy efficiency.

Carpet underlay is a fantastic choice when exploring cheap insulation methods to boost your home's energy efficiency. Uninsulated floors can account for up to 15% of heat loss, but by adding underlay beneath your carpet, you create an additional insulating barrier that helps retain warmth. Best of all, it’s a budget-friendly solution, typically costing between £3 and £8 per m2.

Carpet underlay insulation is easy to install, making it a great DIY project for affordable insulation solutions. With basic tools, you can install it yourself, saving on professional fees and reducing costs further.

A smart thermostat is a valuable tool when looking for cheap insulation methods to boost your home's energy efficiency. While it doesn't directly provide insulation, it helps you maximise the impact of your existing insulation by optimising how you heat and cool your home. This leads to better energy management and reduced heating costs.

With a smart thermostat, you can control the temperature in specific areas of your home, ensuring you use energy only when and where it’s needed. This works well alongside cheap insulation methods, as it prevents unnecessary heat loss and reduces overuse of your heating system, making your insulation more effective.

The cost of a smart thermostat typically ranges from £120 to £220, depending on the brand, with installation fees usually between £30 and £80 per hour. This investment quickly pays off through long-term energy savings, especially when combined with other cheap insulation upgrades.

DIY projects offer a great way to implement cheap insulation solutions in your home, helping to reduce energy costs while staying within your budget. By handling insulation tasks yourself, you can bypass the substantial cost of hiring professional labour, which typically runs around £250 per person per day. Labour can account for up to 60% of the total cost of insulation projects, so doing it yourself can lead to significant savings.

In addition to saving money, DIY insulation gives you more control over the timing and customisation of your home improvement efforts. It’s a practical and cost-effective way to enhance your home’s energy efficiency. However, it's important to recognise that not all insulation tasks are suitable for DIY. Projects such as external insulation for walls or using specialised materials like spray foam require professional expertise.

Additionally, improperly installed insulation can lead to issues like condensation, which may result in mildew and mould growth which can increase future repair costs. Furthermore, if you decide to take on the entire insulation project yourself, you may miss out on grants or financial incentives that often require the work to be done by certified professionals. 

To make the most of cheap insulation methods while maintaining eligibility for insulation grants, focus your DIY efforts on simpler tasks like draught-proofing or installing thermal curtains. These easy-to-implement solutions can help lower energy costs without compromising quality. For more complex projects, such as external wall insulation, it's best to rely on professional installers to ensure high-quality results and maximise the effectiveness of your home's insulation.

Identifying areas of heat loss in your home is a crucial first step in improving energy efficiency. While focusing on specific areas like windows, doors, and pipes can provide short-term savings with cheap insulation methods, more comprehensive solutions like wall, loft, and floor insulation offer far greater long-term benefits. Here are the areas in your home where you can save the most amount of energy:

While cheap insulation methods like draught-proofing and radiator reflectors offer quick savings, they are temporary. Proper insulation of your loft, walls, and floors delivers much greater long-term benefits. For instance, loft insulation alone can significantly cut heat loss and provide a return on investment in a short time, making it one of the most cost-effective ways to insulate your home.

Insulation grants can be a valuable resource when looking to implement cheap insulation methods in your home. Many government and local programs offer financial assistance to help homeowners improve their energy efficiency through insulation upgrades, making it more affordable to tackle projects that might otherwise be too expensive. These grants include:

These grants are designed for insulation projects, such as adding insulation to your walls, loft, or roof. To qualify, the work must be completed by certified professionals, meaning DIY insulation projects are not eligible for funding. 

When exploring cheap insulation methods, working with a professional who can help you plan and budget effectively and assist in accessing UK government-funded grants is always recommended. At GreenMatch, we can connect you with top insulation specialists in your area. Fill out our 30-second form, and we'll provide up to four free quotes to help you get started. Click below to learn more.

When exploring cheap insulation materials, it's important to balance cost with effectiveness. While some low-cost materials may not offer the same insulation performance as more expensive alternatives, many still provide good value for the price. Below are some budget-friendly insulation materials that can help you improve energy efficiency without breaking the bank.

Fibreglass is a popular choice when it comes to cheap insulation, with an average cost of just £10 per 

m2. Fibreglass offers an R-value of 3 to 4 per inch, which provides decent thermal protection. However, while it doesn’t absorb water, it can hold onto moisture, reducing its ability to block heat and lowering its overall R-value. Mould and mildew can grow in damp environments, so use this insulation only in dry areas.

On the plus side, fibreglass is fire-resistant, able to withstand temperatures up to 540°C, making it a safe choice for your home. It also has the added benefit of being an effective soundproofing material, making it an all-around solid choice for cheap insulation.

Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) boards are a budget-friendly option for those seeking cheap insulation. As a thermoplastic foam with an R-value of 4 to 4.5, EPS offers consistent thermal resistance regardless of climate, unlike PIR insulation. It costs around £10 per m2 and is the most affordable choice among rigid board insulation materials. It is quick and easy to install, much like other rigid foam boards.

EPS is available in various thicknesses and can be cut to fit specific dimensions, making it a versatile choice for many areas in the home. However, it is important to note that it is not fire-resistant, meaning an additional layer of fire-resistant spray will need to be applied.

Cellulose is not only one of the most affordable insulation materials available but also one of the most sustainable choices. Made from recycled paper, it is treated with non-toxic fire retardants, enhancing its safety without compromising the environment.

Costing around £11 per m2, cellulose is a cost-effective insulation material suitable for hard-to-reach areas as it is blown in to fill any gaps. With an R-value ranging from 3.1 to 3.8 per inch, cellulose offers effective insulation at a lower cost, making it an excellent option for those seeking to reduce energy bills without a significant upfront investment.

However, it's important to note that cellulose is susceptible to moisture absorption, which can cause sagging and settling over time, potentially leading to structural damage. Therefore, a vapour barrier is required, adding additional costs.

When insulating your home, working with a professional installer is crucial to ensure the right materials and methods are chosen for your specific needs and budget. By partnering with professionals, you can navigate the process smoothly, selecting the most effective and affordable solutions while avoiding costly mistakes. GreenMatch is here to connect you with trusted insulation specialists in your area. Fill out our quick 30-second form and receive up to four free quotes from certified experts who will help you enhance your home's energy efficiency. Click below to learn more!