Park home residents focus on insulation to stave off impact of rising fuel prices
Park home residents keen to reduce their fuel bills in the light of rising prices are looking at ways of increasing the thermal efficiency of their properties – with Actis insulation playing a big part in helping them achieve that aim.
Several park home refurbishment specialists say their insulated floor offerings are becomingly increasingly popular as a way of making the homes cosier and more cost -effective to run.
Many residents are able to access local authority funding for the work – meaning it can be carried out free of charge if their incomes are below a certain level and their homes have a low EPC rating, with the park home specialists able to advise on eligibility.
One company which has seen more enquiries in recent months is multi-award-winning Exeter-based Insulated Homes Ltd, which uses Actis’ insulating breather membrane BoostR Hybrid as its floor insulation material.
Its 25-year guarantee means it ticks the local authority funding box.
Director Ann Barradine said: “We’re seeing an increase in installs as this product is one of the few underfloor insulation products that is approved for grant-funded works.
“We’re anticipating even more sales as energy prices rise. Now the government funding is looking towards full home insulation for park homes, underfloor insulation is classified as one of the primary measures to reduce carbon emissions.
“BoostR Hybrid provides a good thermal performance, trapping the heat within the park home, reducing carbon emissions and fuel costs, and still allows airflow to the underside of the home. It is not a messy installation process and can be installed within a day.”
Northamptonshire-based park home undercarriage specialist PHCS Services UK Ltd (PHCS) is also seeing an increase in demand for its insulated floors.
The key thermal ingredient in its SnuggerFloor+ underfloor insulation product is also Actis BoostR Hybrid.
Jack Base from Park Homes Chassis Services explained: “Reducing fuel bills without even having to find the cash to carry out the energy saving improvements sounds like a win-win for everyone – for residents who get to pay less every year for their heating and the climate which needs all the help it can get.”
And Platinum Park Home Services in Worthing, which also uses Actis BoostR Hybrid in its systems, reports a similar increase in interest.
Its business development director Sam Harbour is keen to point out that park home dwellers within certain council areas with an annual household income of less than £30,000 and an EPC of E, F and G are entitled to work carried out free of charge under the government-funded Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery scheme.
Actis regional sales director for the South East, Steve Ellis, explained: “Living in a park home can get pretty cold if the floor isn’t properly insulated. BoostR Hybrid is a dual insulation and breather membrane material, so it combines warmth with water resistance.
“It’s reflective and airtight and provides protection from precipitation and wind-driven rain when installed correctly. It lets moisture out but doesn’t let water in, because water vapour molecules are smaller than those in water droplets.
“It also reduces the risk of interstitial condensation, which, in lay speak, is a type of condensation which can occur within an enclosed wall, roof or floor cavity structure. So BoostR Hybrid not only keeps damp out, it boosts thermal resistance, keeping heat in.”