How to... insulate your loft

Heat rises, which is why insulating your loft is one of the most effective ways to make your home more energy efficient. To prevent this, the floor of your loft should be lined. It's not a complicated job, but can be tricky depending on access to your loft.

The basics
Loft insulation comes in blanket form and is available from most DIY stores. You should always wear a protective mouth and nose mask, as laying any form of insulation in a confined area is likely to create plenty of dust. You'll also need a plank or two to kneel on, a pair of scissors, a sharp knife and a bright torch.

Clear out any items you have stored up there. Lofts tend to be cramped, the more space you can give yourself to work in the better. Then, kneeling on a plank of wood laid across the joists, start unrolling the insulation between the joists. Carry on until the whole roof is done.

Watch your tank
One area you should leave free is directly under your cold water storage tank. The heat rising from lower floors helps to stop it freezing in winter. To work properly, loft insulation should be installed to an even depth of 250-270mm. Loft insulation comes in rolls of a regular width, so it can be tricky to install if your roof joists are unevenly spaced.

But if you want to avoid the hassle of doing it yourself, there are plenty of companies who will fit loft insulation for you, including British Gas. Our fitters will take care of everything, leaving you to enjoy savings of as much as £110 a year on your energy bills*. And it could cost as little as £274 for a three bedroom semi-detached house. To find out more click here.