It is hardly surprising in a climate in which homeowners are continually being advised about the urgency of taking green measures in their properties that insulation should be high up on their list of priorities.

And the arguments for taking sensible steps are difficult to ignore. More than 50% of all energy produced by humanity is lost as heat and by reducing the amount of waste heat going into the environment, we can save money and improve sustainability.

But there are ways of making improvements, and one of the most promoted at the moment – especially as we suffer another miserable winter – is spray foam insulation for roofs.

A quick Google or Facebook search will throw up countless companies offering this method as a quick and easy solution to heat loss in the home. Many others try to attract customers by the dubious methods of cold calling.

The simple advice for homeowners if they find themselves considering spray foam insulation as the answer to their energy efficiency problems: Don’t.

Installing spray foam within a property’s roof void significantly reduces airflow in and out, trapping moisture and increasing the risk of condensation. Most roofs in Scotland are constructed with timber. Timber and elevated moisture levels will lead to decay over a period of time.

This poses a risk to the structural integrity of the roof, considerably reducing the life expectancy of the roof structure.  Furthermore, the presence of spray foam conceals the roof timbers from view, meaning such defects could go un-noticed before the extent of the problem is realised leading to costly remedial repair works.

It is an unregulated field with installers either not aware of the consequences of such products or they are out on what can only be described as a ‘get rich quick scheme’, charging thousands of pounds to install these products which they will have no obligation to rectify at a later date, if, that is, they can be located or contacted afterwards.

One of the arguments used to persuade people to sign up for a course of treatment is that there is moisture in the roof space. Even if this is so, the solution to moisture within a roof void is often not insulation but improved ventilation.

That is why the traditional method of dealing with roof spaces is to install the insulation on at ceiling joist level and have gaps in the eaves and/or ridge to allow air to circulate throughout the space.

Furthermore, the majority of mortgage lenders will refuse or restrict lending where spray foam insulation has been installed, significantly reducing the property’s value where it is deemed not suitable for mortgage purposes.

It is not unknown for people who have spent, say, £5,000 on having their roof sprayed to subsequently have to shell out £25,000 -£30,000 for a new roof in order to make their property mortgageable again.

On top of that, the process itself is often coarse and messy. There are instances where unsuitable contractors have covered the entire space in foam – including the suitcases and Christmas decoration boxes stored in the attic.

Beware of cold callers offering such products. If it sounds too good to be true, often this is exactly the case. Before carrying out any home improvement involving new or seemingly innovative products, consult a professional for advice.

The government has been warned that it faces a major public backlash if it attempts to use an increase in domestic gas prices as a way of forcing homeowners to buy expensive low carbon heating appliances in own homes.

A consultation is due to launch shortly which is believed will propose an increase to gas prices to encourage consumers to ditch their gas boiler in favour of an electric alternative, such as a heat pump. However, a new survey of homeowners has found that the public is adamantly opposed to this approach, with predictions of a public backlash made by some senior politicians, highly likely.

It has found that four in ten voters (40%) would be ‘less likely to vote’ for a Government that announced an increase in the price of gas as a way of encouraging people to switch from boiler to heat pumps.

In an added twist, nearly eight in ten (76%) would support reducing VAT on domestic gas, something that was promised by senior Ministers during the Brexit campaign, as European Union rules on VAT no longer apply.

Mike Foster, Chief Executive of the Energy and Utilities Alliance who commissioned the online research of 2,000 homeowners, says a move to increase levies on the price of gas would be a kick in the teeth of hard-pressed consumers who are still smarting over the breach of trust around VAT not being cut.

“During the referendum campaign people were promised that, if we came out of Europe, we would be able to set our own levels of VAT on domestic fuel and that this would allow the government to reduce VAT and effectively cut fuel bills. They have been let down.

But to make matters worse, Whitehall officials are now planning to force the price of gas up, to encourage consumers to rip out their gas boiler in favour of a £10,000 heat pump.

Some politicians get it. Others need to start taking back control from Whitehall officials who are planning to make politicians look ridiculous. Far from cutting gas bills, they are set to increase. It will be a gross breach of trust and a very reckless political move for any political party to make.”

Gas is currently the most popular fuel for heating, hot water and cooking in UK homes with more 21 million households on the mains gas network.

“I would remind the government that gas users are also voters. 21 million households on the gas grid, the majority of which are multi-occupancy, equates to a huge number of voters who are the recipients of heat and hot water from a boiler. The reaction from the public when the energy companies put up their prices should act as a warning to Ministers,” says Mr Foster.

The research also reveals that whilst the public support efforts to combat climate change, nearly three quarters would prioritise fuel poverty over action on climate change.

“I believe the public supports efforts to deal with the climate crisis but not at the expense of plunging more people into fuel poverty. If the government does force up the price of gas, it is vital that the fuel poor are supported. And if a carbon levy is placed on gas, let’s ring-fence the proceeds to make sure they are used to incentivise the investment in the hydrogen economy the government is keen to talk about.”

Mr Foster concludes: “Yes, we have to deal with the climate emergency, but the public wants a thought-through strategy not a knee-jerk tweaking of gas prices that will impact the poorest in society and do nothing to encourage the uptake of low carbon heating technologies.”

Property & Development Magazine

NEW HOME AT AMBER LODGE : Recently named as the Best Place to live in the South East 2021[1], the Surrey Hills is a collection of picturesque English villages that combine wooded hills, flower-rich grasslands, traditional British pubs and independent boutiques. For buyers seeking a place to call home within this idyllic landscape, the historical market town of Godalming is a must see. Positioned just 30 miles or a 50-minute train journey from London, homeowners here perfectly balance rural living with the hustle and bustle of the UKs capital. Centrally located, Amber Lodge by Shanly Homes is a collection of spacious apartments that are within walking distance of the town and its amenities. 

Greg Kaye, Head of Sales at Shanly Homes comments: “Amber Lodge is a fantastic collection of apartments. Thanks to its convenient location, buyers are able to walk into town in under five minutes, whilst river and woodland walks are all easily reachable. Travel connections from Godalming are enviable, with residents able to reach Guildford in under ten minutes and London in under an hour. Our selection of two-bedroom apartments at Amber Lodge are sure to tick many boxes and we encourage interested parties to book a viewing today.”

Profiting from open plan kitchen / living / dining rooms, the apartments have been designed to cater for a range of lifestyles. A hub of the home, the living space is perfect for entertaining friends and family, when restrictions ease, or for relaxing after a busy day at work. Bedrooms are spacious, with master suites benefitting from an en-suite shower room, fitted wardrobes and dedicated dressing areas. Furthermore, all apartments are complete with allocated parking spaces and secure cycle storage.

Homeowners who like to venture out and explore the local area are well catered for at Amber Lodge. The Godalming Farmers’ Market is held on the last Saturday of every month providing residents with the perfect opportunity to stock up on locally made produce and to support local businesses, whilst Waitrose and Sainsbury’s are a short walk from home. A range of restaurants, pubs and cafés including Côte Brasserie, The Red Lion and Costa Coffee provide a great spot to catch up with friends, whilst a range of independent boutiques and shops are also within an easy walk from home.

Aside from the bustling market town, there is plenty for residents to take advantage of on the outskirts of Godalming. Winkworth Arboretum, home to 95 acres of beautiful shrubs and trees, is just a five-minute drive away providing an impressive backdrop for woodland walks all year-round. And for residents who enjoy a spot of golf, there are five golf clubs to choose from all within a five-mile radius of Amber Lodge.

Just 15 minutes away by car, the vibrant town of Guildford boasts a diverse range of shopping experiences with a range of well-known names, luxury boutiques, independent retailers and traditional market stalls to choose from.

Amber Lodge is just a nine-minute walk from Godalming Station, from where residents can easily reach London Waterloo (50 minutes) and Guildford (6 minutes). The M25 is just a 20-minute drive away via the A3 providing easy access to Gatwick Airport and the surrounding areas. Prices at Amber Lodge start from £400,000 for a two bedroom apartment, for further information please visit www.shanlyhomes.com or call Seymours Estate Agents on 01483 420555.

Property & Development Magazine