CareHomeDeskCareHomeDeskEnergy savings, damp risk, and what to check before installing cavity wall insulation in an older building.
Cavity wall insulation (CWI) can reduce heat loss through external walls by 30-40%, reducing heating energy consumption and costs. For a care home with a large heated floor area, this represents a meaningful reduction in energy bills. CWI is typically payback within 3-5 years and may be eligible for grant funding through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme.
Before installing CWI, a specialist surveyor must confirm the cavity is clear, un-obstructed and of adequate width, that the external wall is watertight, that the existing cavity ties are in good condition, and that the property is not in a high wind-driven rain exposure zone (where CWI is contraindicated). Do not allow CWI to be installed without a pre-installation survey.
Poorly installed CWI, or CWI installed in buildings with defective external walls or high wind-driven rain exposure, can allow moisture to bridge the cavity and cause penetrating damp. If a care home develops damp following CWI installation, the CWI should be inspected by an independent specialist. Defective CWI may need to be extracted and replaced.
CareHomeDesk gives you compliance checklists, maintenance logs, and contractor management tools built around exactly this kind of knowledge.