One in eight people in the UK rate their home's insulation and energy efficiency as either ‘poor' or ‘very poor', according to research conducted on behalf of mortgage and loans provider Ocean Finance.
81% of people in the UK live in homes built before 1990, and 41% live in a property constructed before 1950. The UK's first national building standards for new homes were not introduced until 1965 and have since undergone several changes. The most recent proposals in this area were put forward in 2012, when plans for tighter restrictions on carbon dioxide emissions were included.
This means that people living in properties built prior to the introduction of the first building regulations might not have the most efficient homes. Features of older properties that make them less efficient include open fireplaces, sash windows, single glazing and single skin walls, which are all guilty of allowing heat to escape.
39% of respondents revealed their home has at least one feature that makes it less than energy efficient. Of these, 41% had an open fireplace, a 33% had single glazed windows and 36% had single skin walls with no cavity insulation. This may explain the large volumes of people investing in insulation and other improvements designed to boost their property's efficiency.
The majority of respondents to the survey (78%) revealed they have invested in insulation or energy efficient improvements. Of the people who have had this type of work carried out, 79% have invested in double glazing - making it the most popular home improvement in this category. Loft insulation was another popular choice, with 66% investing in this, while 53% of respondents revealed they have had a more efficient boiler fitted.
Ian Williams, spokesman for Ocean Finance, says: "‘Energy efficiency' is such a buzz term right now, and yet one in eight people believe their properties are failing in this area. This isn't that surprising though, as the UK's housing stock spans centuries and most homes built before the mid-20th century were not designed with energy efficiency in mind."
"This might explain why so many people are now investing in making sure their properties are well insulated and efficient. Some of these improvements, like installing double glazing or a new boiler, can be expensive but the pay-off is a cosier home - and hopefully cheaper energy bills."