4 potential health benefits of insulating your home

Reaching the UK's net zero goals would result in two million extra years of life for England and Wales, according to new research.

Of all the initiatives contributing to reaching net zero, the research suggests that the biggest impact could come from home energy efficiency improvements. Wall and loft insulation alone contributed to over 800,000 life years gained.

That astonishing stat got us thinking: if a general population’s health can be improved by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, could improving a home’s energy efficiency improve the health of its inhabitants too?

Better indoor air quality

Insulation, such as floor or cavity wall insulation, helps prevent outdoor pollutants and allergens (e.g. dust, pollen, and radon gas), from entering your home. This could improve indoor air quality, reduce respiratory issues and allergies, and could even help reduce the risk of lung cancer.

It’s worth noting that it’s important that your home is well-ventilated. Installing home energy efficiency measures without adequate ventilation could increase your exposure to pollutants generated within the home, which could have a negative impact on your health.

Better temperature regulation

Insulation helps keep the temperature of your home consistent by reducing drafts and hot or cold spots. This could help prevent respiratory issues, such as a dry throat, runny nose, and itchy eyes, and improve your overall comfort.

Less noise pollution

It may not seem like a health benefit, but reducing the amount of outside noise that enters your home can, in fact, reduce stress levels, improve sleep quality, and increase the overall comfort of your home. Insulation such as cavity wall insulation and double-glazed windows can help reduce the amount of outside noise that enters your home, resulting in a quieter and healthier living environment where.

Less humidity

Mold and mildew can thrive in homes with high humidity levels. Thankfully, insulation helps keep the humidity levels in your home consistent by reducing air leaks, which can reduce the growth of mould and mildew. This can improve the air quality in your home, reduce respiratory issues such as asthma, and lower the risk of mould-related allergies.

A range of health benefits

As we’ve seen, properly insulating your home could lead to a range of health benefits, including:

• Better sleep quality
• Reduced stress levels
• More consistent mood
• Better focus
• Fewer respiratory problems
• Fewer allergies
• Potentially lower risk of some cancers

And as the research cited at the beginning of this article suggests, insulating our homes doesn’t just benefit our own health, but it can contribute to better health of others around us too.