Most new houses have insulation fitted all around the house as this is an important requirement set by the Government. However older houses were built to lower insulation standards and are more expensive to heat.

So why put up with this when insulation could reduce the cost of heating your home?

One idea is cavity wall insulation which is injected into the gap between the inner and outer sections of brickwork in exterior walls.

There are a variety of different products available, but they all work in the same way.

The insulation combined with the trapped air acts as a barrier to stop heat from escaping.

The materials used are mineral wool, polystyrene bead and foam. These materials have been tried and tested, but the most important thing you need to consider is who will install the insulation.

A member of the National Insulation Association will carry out the work to the industry’s standards and recommend the best material to use.

However, if you live in a home with solid walls 45 per cent your heat could be escaping through your walls, which is costing you money.

There are a number of solutions available including insulating the inside your home.

These include flexible thermal linings on a roll, laminated insulating plasterboard and systems using fibrous insulation.

Outside insulation systems are made up of an insulation layer fixed to the existing wall using a combination of mechanical fixings and adhesive and a protective render or cladding Another important area to consider is the loft.

As much as a third of your heating costs could be escaping through your roof. Loft insulation is an effective way to reduce your heating bills.

There are three types of products approved to British Standards, all of which are suitable for simple topping up — leaving the existing insulation in place. These products are mineral wool quilt, blown mineral wool and blown cellulose fibre.

Quilt is rolled out in the loft space, while blown materials are installed loose using a purpose-built insulation blowing machine Insulating a loft can be a DIY task but it can be a difficult and time-consuming job. So maybe you should consider using a member of the association.

For more details, visit the website: www.nationalinsulationassociation,org.uk