London Press Release

Reduce your annual energy bills by around £275

June 2008

The National Insulation Association (NIA) has announced today that despite the bleak forecast that household energy bills could increase by as much as 40% this winter, the consumer can fight back and significantly reduce their energy bills by installing insulation measures.

Neil Marshall, Chief Executive of the not-for-profit NIA, said, "It's really worrying that many of the elderly and those on low incomes could resort to not heating their homes this winter for fear that they won't be able to pay their bills. But there is a way they can bring these bills down without compromising their quality of life - and that's by insulating their homes."

People do not realise that around half of the heat they are paying for in their homes is being lost needlessly through the walls and roof. By installing cavity wall and loft insulation, heating bills can be reduced by around £275 a year. Insulation is quick, safe and easy to install - and with the wide range of grants available it is now more cost effective than ever.

The National Insulation Association is committed to raising public awareness of the range of financial support available for insulating their homes .

If you're 70 or over, or on qualifying benefits, you can get your home insulated FREE OF CHARGE.

You don't have to be in a vulnerable household to benefit from financial assistance - there are grants and subsidies available to all sectors of the population. Even if you don't own your own home and live in rented accommodation, you can still apply for a grant. To find out what you are entitled to and contact an installer in your area visit www.nationalinsulationassociation.org.uk.

NOTES TO EDITORS

The National Insulation Association represents over 95% of the UK's home insulation industry, including installers and manufacturers. The NIA and its members are committed to providing a high quality, value for money service to householders, housing managers and developers.

The NIA are here to help you with expert opinions and comments on any matter that concerns the insulation of homes and businesses. For further information and images call Belinda at the NIA press office on 01327 701 702 or email NIA@evolution-pr.co.uk.

NIA installers carry out work which meets the stringent standards of the British Board of Ágrement, and all of our members abide by our Code of Professional Practice.

Cavity Wall Insulation work is covered by the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency's (CIGA) independent 25-year guarantee.

NIA installers carry out work that complies with national standards and technical approvals such as the British Board of Agrément, and in the case of Cavity Wall Insulation according to the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency technical guidance covering assessment and installation. In addition, all NIA members abide by our Code of Professional Practice.

Cavity Wall Insulation work is covered by the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency's (CIGA) independent 25-year guarantee. www.ciga.co.uk

All of our members abide by the NIA Code of Professional Practice.

• Half of the heat lost in a home is through the walls or loft space.
• Cavity Wall Insulation is the most cost-effective way of improving comfort levels and reducing energy use in the home. Average savings of around 15%, equating to £120 per year can be made on a typical home's energy bills. The installation is clean, safe and only takes a couple of hours. It's estimated that around 9 million UK homes have cavity walls which have not been insulated. Collectively, they are wasting around £950 million every year through the energy being lost through their walls. This still leaves roughly one in three British households which could have their comfort levels increased and their fuel bills reduced.
• There are around 13 million homes with 100mm or less of loft insulation which should be increased to thicknesses required for modern new dwellings (270mm.
• In 2003, space heating accounted for around 53% of carbon dioxide emissions in the UK. Over 40% of the Government's projected carbon savings for the household sector are expected to come from insulation.
• This corresponds to around 200MtC over the lifetime of the measures, nearly 15% of the annualhousehold emissions.

To find a local NIA approved installer in your area, access information on the benefits of insulation or find details of grants available please visit our website www.nationalinsulationassociation.org.uk

The biggest carbon challenge in the UK is to significantly tackle the real "energy wasters", the existing housing stock.

NATIONAL INSULATION ASSOCIATION
2 Vimy Court
Vimy Road
Leighton Buzzard
Beds LU7 1FG
Telephone: 01525 383313
Fax: 01525 854918
Email: info@nationalinsulationassociation.org.uk
Website: www.nationalinsulationassociation.org.uk

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