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Business Insulation Guide

Are you looking for ways to make your business more energy efficient and reduce energy bills? If so, you need a plan to properly insulate your business premises.

Insulation is sometimes overlooked by businesses, but it’s vital for preventing heat loss and cut down on energy wastage.

This Business Energy Comparison comprehensive guide has all the information you need to start implementing insulation measures. We’ll show you why insulation is so important for your business, the different types that are available, and much more.

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Business Insulation

What Is Cavity Wall Insulation And How Does It Work?

This type of insulation usually consists of polystyrene beads, mineral wool, or polyurethane foam. It’s used to prevent heat from escaping through wall cavities.

When installing insulation into a cavity wall, the insulating material is injected into the cavities. It’s estimated that around a third of heat that’s lost from buildings escape through the walls, making this insulation very important.

Why Do Buildings Have Cavity Walls?

The reason that buildings have cavities in the walls is to stop rainwater from penetrating the outer wall and entering the building. The downside of this is that the cavities in the walls result in a large amount of heat loss from the property.

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Why Do I Need Insulation?

Heating company premises is often one of the biggest costs associated with running a business. This means that it’s vital your premises are properly insulated to prevent heat from escaping. If you don’t install insulation, your business gas bills will likely remain very high.

Poor insulation (and high heating bills) is most common in older buildings that don’t have appropriate insulation measures in place to reduce heat loss.

If your business operates out of one of these types of buildings, you need to upgrade existing insulation to prevent heat loss. Or, if the building has virtually no insulation measures in place, you’ll need to start from scratch.

Without the right level of insulation, your business’s premises won’t be draught-proofed. This results in sub-par energy efficiency and you’ll be paying more than you need to for your energy bills.

You may also be paying too much for your business electricity and gas if you’re not on the best energy contract for your business needs. To combat this, you should compare suppliers and deals to find the one that’s right for you.

How Does Insulation Work?

Insulation works by slowing convective and conductive heat flow.

The most common type of insulation material used for business premises is foam insulation. However, there are other types of insulation that are also used frequently. The amount of insulation your building requires depends on the type of structure and its age.

Still, for all building types, you should check the insulation in some key areas. These include the roof, ceiling, walls, windows, doors, and floors. These are the areas where heat is most likely to escape.

Let’s take a look at how the most common types of insulation work:

Loft Insulation

It’s best to use mineral wool insulation for both roof and loft insulation. This type of insulation material is porous which makes it good at retaining air. It’s also excellent for sound insulation.

Loft insulation is particularly important, as it’s estimated that around 25% of a building’s heat is lost through the loft and roof. So, loft insulation can lead to significant savings on your heating bills.

Solid Wall Insulation

If your business operates from an older building then it might not have cavity walls. Old buildings tend to have solid walls instead. To insulate these walls, you need to use external or internal wall insulation.

However, there are sometimes damp issues associated with this type of insulation, so you need to ensure that it’s installed properly.

Doors and Windows Insulation

The best way to insulate windows is to install double or triple-glazed windows. If this is too costly for your business, you can use things like compression strips and draught-proof seals. You can also use these to insulate any doors.

This prevents heat from escaping and reduces the amount you pay for your business utilities.

Floor Insulation

There are a number of insulation industry solutions for insulating floors. If a basement or crawlspace is accessible, then the underside of the floor can be insulated. If this isn’t possible, suspended floors can be constructed so that insulation can be installed relatively easily.

Some buildings allow for insulation to be installed on the inside of the floor. For this to be done, radiators, doors, and skirting may need to be adjusted.

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How Much Does Insulation Cost?

The amount you pay to insulate your business will depend on many factors. These include the age of your premises, its size, the type of upgrades it requires, and the current levels of insulation. The materials you choose will also affect the costs.

Types Of Cavity Wall Insulation

The main types of cavity wall insulation are:

  • Cavity batts
  • Polyurethane foam
  • Polystyrene beads
  • Mineral wool
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Is Cavity Wall Insulation Right For Your Property?

Any type of business property needs to be well insulated. It makes your premises more energy efficient, reduces carbon emissions, and saves you money on your bills. This is particularly helpful in the current climate (both financial and literal) when energy prices are so high.

Let’s take a look at some examples of the types of commercial properties that can benefit from proper cavity wall insulation:

  • Offices: Office buildings need to be insulated for heat preservation and soundproofing. This creates a comfortable environment for employees and reduces energy wastage.If you’re looking for more ways to save money when running a corporate office, compare large business energy deals and make sure you’re with the right supplier.
  • Shops: During the colder months, shops need to be warm so that they remain inviting to customers. This can lead to very high gas bills if they’re poorly insulated. You may also want to try switching your small business energy supplier to save even more money.
  • Warehouses: The large metal interiors and exteriors of warehouses mean it’s crucial for warehouses to be well insulated. This is needed for temperature regulation and control, soundproofing, and thermal efficiency.

Things To Consider Before Insulating Your Business

Insulating your business is an overwhelmingly positive endeavour, but there are certain considerations to take into account before doing it.

Depending on the type of insulation that’s required, your business may be disrupted while it’s installed.

For example, if you’re planning to have the internal walls insulated, your building’s floor space will be reduced. Due to this, it’s best to install this type of insulation during quieter periods.

Other types of insulation, such as loft insulation, are unlikely to cause much disruption.

You also need to consider the costs of installing insulation and factor these into your business expenses. Although these costs can be relatively high, you will save money in the long term.

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Cavity Wall Insulation Costs And Savings

Insulating cavity walls tend to be cheaper than insulating solid walls. On average, it costs about £20 to £25 per m². By insulating your business’s cavity walls, you’ll help to prevent heat loss, which is guaranteed to save you money on your heating bills.

The amount that you save will depend on factors like the size of your building and its age.

Final Thoughts

Insulating your business has many benefits. Besides saving money, it also makes your business more environmentally friendly and makes it a more hospitable environment for your employees.

The type of insulation that’s required depends on the type of building and when it was built. Generally, older buildings are less insulated than newer ones and can require significant upgrades.

Another way to save money on your bills is to compare energy deals and make sure that you have the right contract in place for your business. Using a broker or consultant is a great way for you to find the perfect deal.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are there grants available for business insulation in the UK?

Yes, some local authorities and councils in the UK provide grants to businesses for insulation. The majority of these are only available to small businesses. The grants are aimed at helping businesses become more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

Is it a legal requirement for businesses to be insulated in the UK?

Premises that are used for commercial purposes in the UK must meet certain commercial building code insulation requirements. The types of buildings include: