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Insulation
Fitting insulation in cavity walls and roof spaces of existing domestic properties
It's important that you make your home more energy efficient by preventing heat from escaping. This will lower your fuel bills and help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide your home produces.Cavity wall insulation - insulating existing cavity walls
In the Building Regulations (NI) 2000, insulating a cavity wall in an existing building is called a 'structural alteration'.This means that you are changing the structure of the building and you'll need to apply to us for Building Regulations approval (usually a building notice). You will not have to pay a fee for this.
Even though you don't have to pay for a building notice, we'll inspect the property while you are carrying out the work or after you have finished.
During the inspection our surveyor will:
- confirm that you have carried out or are carrying out the work and what thermal insulation material the installer is using
- look for evidence of drilled holes in the external walls to confirm that they have been insulated (these should follow the 'drilling pattern' as specified in the BBA certificate which gives their locations and spacings)
- check that the drilled holes have been satisfactorily pointed-in to keep damp out
- check that the eaves ventilation in the roof space hasn't been blocked
- if there was no ventilation to the existing roof before the insulation upgrade ventilation must now be provided that meets with current Building Regulation standards
- for properties insulated some time ago, check for signs of damp on the external walls, which may be due to cold spots, where insulation may be missing
- for newly insulated cavities, inform the owner to be aware of cold spots, which may be due to missing insulation, and advise that they should contact their installer in the first instance
- ask to see a copy of the installer's installation certificate or guarantee, if available, to confirm the type of insulation used to make sure that it meets the requirements of the Building Regulations
- if this isn't available, try and identify the insulation used by some other means. And if neither of these are available obtain the name and address of the installer for contacting later
- try and obtain a copy or details of the BBA certificate.
Loft insulation - insulating existing roof spaces or lofts
Since November 2006 installing insulation in the roof space of a property is considered something that needs controlling under the Building Regulations (NI) 2000. This means that you'll need to apply to us for Building Regulations approval (usually a building notice) to insulate existing roof spaces or lofts.Until 31 March 2011, we've agreed not to charge for applications for insulating roof spaces. We hope that this will encourage more homeowners to carry out these improvements and get the permission they need.
Many people are not aware that they need to apply for Building Regulations approval when they are increasing the insulation in their loft. This is because people usually carry out the work themselves as it is reasonably straightforward to do.
Increasing thermal insulation can cause problems. Involving us will help you make sure you avoid any possible problems. You should consider the following.
- The risk of condensation in the roof space
Increasing the insulation levels can cause condensation problems in the roof space. More insulation will make the roof space colder, and increase the risk of moist air changing to water droplets and collecting on the cold surfaces as condensation. This can cause damp and lead to the condition of parts of the building, particularly the roof, deteriorating. Condensation can also affect anything you store in your roof space. You can avoid condensation problems by making sure there is good ventilation through the roof space. Poorly-fitted insulation can stop air travelling through the roof space, and if you don't already have ventilation included in the roof's design (for example eaves and ridge ventilators or air bricks in gable walls), you may now need to put this in. - Getting into the roof space
It's important that you insulate the hatch you use to get into your roof space, and you fit a draught seal around its edges. Otherwise this will cause draughts and you'll lose heat from your home. - Downlights fitted into the ceiling
If you have downlights fitted into your ceiling, it is important that you keep the insulation away from them so that they don't overheat. You can buy special covers to fit over them, which will keep loft insulation away and also stop draughts and stop heat escaping from around gaps where the lights are fitted. - Safe access to the roof space
The insulation levels needed today mean that you will need at least 300 millimetres of rock-wool quilt (or an equivalent material). This will go between the ceiling joists and also over the top of them. This means that you will not be able to see the ceiling joists to walk on them safely when you are in your roof space (for example to maintain water tanks or to store household items such as Christmas decorations). You need to think about having crawl boards, walkways or a boarded platform to help you do these things safely. - Existing water tanks, pipes and other similar items
When you increase the amount of insulation in the roof space, your existing water-storage tanks and any pipes above the insulation will be colder. It's important that you make sure these are properly insulated or 'lagged' to prevent them from freezing in the winter. It's also important that you insulate any hot water pipes to prevent them from losing heat. - Sloping ceilings, rooms in the attic and other similar features
Increasing the insulation, or providing it for the first time, in existing sloping ceilings, rooms in the attic and similar situations is more difficult than in a traditional roof space. It's important that any work you carry out does not affect the existing building in any way. You should consider asking an architect or building surveyor for advice on what you need to do and the best solution for your home. You can also contact us for advice and more information.
Replacing old oil or gas boilers
Recent changes to the Building Regulations mean that all new heating appliances must be condensing boilers with an efficiency of not less than 86 percent. This requirement came into effect on 31 December 2010. This also applies to replacement boilers.When a boiler is being replaced it must be a condensing type with a minimum efficiency of 86 percent and must not be less than 2 percentage points lower than the boiler being replaced. For example if the existing boiler is 91 percent efficient then the replacement boiler must not be less than 89 percent efficient. If the new appliance is using a different fuel (say from oil to gas), calculations have to be carried out to work out its new efficiency which may be higher than the minimum 86 percent.
If your boiler stops working there is no need to delay repairing it. If it needs to be replaced then the requirements of the previous paragraph must be met.
You'll need Building Regulations approval for the following work:
- Installing new heating appliances, central-heating systems and associated work
- Upgrading an existing central heating system
- Replacing a boiler
- Converting an existing central-heating system by changing the boiler for example from solid fuel to an oil- or gas-fired central heating system
- Carrying out work such as fitting a new flue, altering or re-lining the existing flue, fitting heating controls, insulating heating services, cutting and drilling structural floor joists and so on
- Replacing a boiler in an emergency.
