6 Ways to Make Your Loft Conversion Energy-Efficient

A loft conversion is one of the most affordable ways to add more living space to your home, costing on average between £27,500 - £75,000. Whether you want an extra bedroom or a bigger living space, or you’re keen to add more value to your property, a loft conversion is the way to go.

However, loft conversions don’t just have to be about more space or adding value. Converting your loft is also an ideal opportunity to tackle problems around energy efficiency within your home.

According to The Energy Saving Trust, a quarter of heat in the home is lost through the roof. Converting your loft to be energy efficient can solve this problem, giving you more space, comfortable temperatures, and reduced heating bills.

This guide is brought to you in collaboration with Hillarys and FAKRO. Let’s take a look at the 6 ways you can make your loft energy-efficient.

1. Insulate Your Loft for an Energy Efficient Home

Insulating your loft conversion roof is one of the most effective ways to reduce heat loss and keep your home warm. The Energy Saving Trust explains that, “if you want to use your loft as a living space, or it is already being used as a living space, then you need to make sure that all the walls and ceilings between the heated room and an unheated space are insulated.”

It’s surprisingly easy to insulate a loft - particularly when there are no issues with damp or condensation - with most professionals using blanket insulation (made from fibreglass or mineral wool) as it’s cost-effective and eco-friendly.

Generally speaking, insulating a loft isn’t something you should do yourself. You will need a professional to install the appropriate insulation and add ventilation in areas prone to condensation or damp.

2. Install Energy Efficient Roof Windows

An estimated 30% of a home’s heating is lost through the windows. There are many reasons for this, ranging from poorly fitted window frames to single glazing. However, it’s not a problem you want to deal with when you’re completing a loft conversion.

FAKRO’s triple and quadruple glazed roof windows help minimise heat loss, making them an excellent choice for homeowners looking to future-proof their loft space. 

So, installing energy efficient roof windows is one of the best ways to secure your loft conversion and keep it warm. Purpose-built loft windows don’t just look stylish, they sit snugly inside the roof, letting light and warmth in without allowing heat to escape.

For added peace of mind, our topSafe system provides outstanding security exclusive to FAKRO’s customers. Reinforced with patented strengthening elements, your windows have added protection against forced entry - a key benefit for any loft conversion. 

3. Window Coverings

When converting a loft, many homeowners overlook how important window coverings are. Often the assumption is that the loft is up high so most people won’t be able to see in.

While this may be true, failing to cover your loft windows appropriately can lead to significant heat loss, especially during winter months, making your boiler work harder and your energy bills climb higher.

Once your loft windows are installed, you should add internal accessories such as screens, curtains or blinds. These can help regulate the amount of light and heat entering and leaving your loft space.

• Thermal blinds are an excellent choice for sloped windows and a great way to keep your home warm in the winter months and cool in the summer months. 

• Roller blinds are a popular choice for loft spaces as they sit comfortably against the window pane and if they are electric roller blinds, you don’t need to worry about hanging cords. 

• You can also opt for blackout roller blinds to achieve complete darkness even on the sunniest days - ideal if you have guests staying over or a little one trying to sleep.

• Lofts with gable-end windows or dormers, made to measure curtains are a perfect solution to add a stylish and cosy finish to your room whilst helping to retain heat in your loft. 

There are so many window dressings to choose from that will help keep your loft conversion comfortable all year round - whatever you’re planning to use the space for.

4. Keep Your Toes Warm with Underfloor Heating 

If we learned anything in science, it’s that heat rises. Nobody likes trekking to the bathroom only to stand on cold tiles.

A loft conversion is an excellent opportunity to invest in underfloor heating. While this might seem counterintuitive to reducing your energy bills, it’s actually an excellent way to heat your loft space (and do so efficiently).

Underfloor heating in an insulated loft improvement combines the rising heat from lower floors and uses this to keep your loft floors warm and toasty. It doesn’t take up any space and it gets rid of the need for radiators on the wall. Essentially, it does the job of a radiator but under the floor. If you haven’t tried it, you should. 

5. Light Up Your Loft with LEDs

Your electricity usage around the home can account for a vast percentage of your electricity bill. In fact, according to Ever Green Energy, “on average, a household in the UK will have around 34 light bulbs [...] the average home is spending £77 on lighting, making up 18% of annual energy bills.”

When converting your loft it’s important to consider the different lighting options available to you.

You can make significant savings by installing LED lights around your home. LEDs are also far more environmentally friendly than their fluorescent counterparts. They have a lower energy consumption and they don’t contain any harmful chemicals such as mercury or lead.

What’s more, they last longer which means you won’t need to worry about replacing them as often. If you’re looking for a cost-efficient and energy-efficient lighting solution for your loft, LED technology is an excellent solution.

6. Install Solar Panels

If you’re often at home, perhaps you work from home too, investing in solar panels can be extremely beneficial and energy-efficient. Of course, you will need the right-shaped roof (a 30-degree angle pitch is best), but if it’s an option for you, investing in solar panels can help you make big savings on your energy bills.

One of the many benefits of a loft conversion is that you have the opportunity to install the solar panels during construction. This is not only an energy-efficient tip, it’s a cost-effective one too. During a loft conversion the scaffolding is already up and for many homeowners, paying for scaffolding is one of the most expensive aspects of any home improvement project. So, doing both jobs at once can be extremely efficient.

What’s more, doing both at the same time means you can work out the best place for the skylights. When the skylights can be situated with solar panels in mind, it’s easy to install, access, and maintain them.

Final Words

As you can see, converting your loft introduces numerous opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of your home. It’s easy to see why so many UK homeowners are opting to convert their homes rather than move elsewhere.

We hope that with the tips we’ve collectively shared, you can increase the usable space in your home while simultaneously lowering your energy bills. Done right, a loft conversion can be one of the best property upgrades you will ever make.