How One Company Insulated an Entire Village!
We are always being warned of huge energy price rises, and concerns over people in cold homes over winter. It’s Green Party and Lib Dem policy to fund free insulation of every older home in the UK (most newer homes are already well-insulated). This would massively reduce climate emissions and household bills, and provide skilled jobs for several years.
Devon company Mitchell & Dickenson have done this on a smaller scale, so makes a good case study. Experts in providing insulation to period homes (using initiatives like an alternative to double glazing that can be used on listed buildings), a few years ago it insulated the entire privately-owned village of Clovelly in North Devon.
The 107 homes would then benefit from lower bills, along with improved energy efficiency ratings. Around 30% of heat is lost through buildings without insulation, and the company also added draught-proofing, where needed.
The programme took a few years to complete. But even after the first winter, some residents were reporting benefits. One tenant in a four-bedroom house reported her fuel bills dropping by 50%.
