Warm homes, lower bills: why rewarding good outcomes makes sense for Britain
Britain’s families face some of the highest energy bills in Europe, driven by a volatile energy system and wasted heat lost through leaky walls in their homes. Too many are left in cold, damp conditions, but people want warmer, efficient homes with lower bills – and outcomes they can trust
Common-sense solutions
We urgently need to upgrade and insulate the millions of homes that still need it – and require industry to offer checks that expected outcomes are being realised. Mineral wool insulation, made from stone or glass wool, creates a dense barrier that helps homes retain heat, cut noise, and resist the spread of fire. It is affordable, reliable, and proven over decades. Unlike many newer technologies, its benefits are measurable and lasting.
That matters. When families put their money – or taxpayers’ money – into energy efficiency, they deserve confidence they’ll secure warmer homes with potential energy bill savings and waste less of their home heating. Mineral wool delivers exactly that.
Restoring consumer trust
Too many government schemes have promised more than they achieved, leaving households sceptical and taxpayers shortchanged. Britain now needs practical solutions that are shown to work in the real world and put consumers first.
That’s why MIMA is championing a performance-led approach1 in which retrofit outcomes are routinely measured and checked by the industry, not simply assumed. The focus shifts to real energy savings households can see. Homeowners benefit from warmer homes and lower bills, installers are rewarded for quality work, and trust is rebuilt through accountability and proof of value.
Value for families
The economic case is overwhelming. Raising all UK homes to EPC Band C could deliver £40bn in benefits by 2030, including £24bn in direct household savings.
Savings from insulation alone are substantial. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that insulating a loft with mineral wool can cut heating costs by around £230 a year, often paying for itself within three years. For millions of families hit by rising costs, that is not just a statistic – it’s a lifeline.
The benefits extend beyond household budgets. Warmer homes reduce cold-related illnesses, easing pressure on the NHS, while a well-insulated housing stock lowers overall energy demand and strain on the grid.
Energy security and independence
Well-insulated homes don’t just save families money – they strengthen Britain’s energy security. By cutting heating demand, insulation reduces emissions and reliance on costly imports.
Britain should back homegrown solutions that cut bills, tackle fuel poverty, and keep families warm. Mineral wool fits that test: MIMA’s members – Knauf Insulation, Superglass, and ROCKWOOL – are all anchored in the UK, investing in local communities and jobs.
A smarter future
What Britain needs now are practical, results-driven policies that also put fairness at their core by:
- Advocating a performance-led retrofit approach that verifies outcomes, so households see guaranteed savings and taxpayers get value.
- Protecting vulnerable households with tougher standards and more highly trained installers in the insulation industry.
- Making insulation central to tackling fuel poverty, so pensioners and low-income families are not left behind.
No one left out in the cold
Fuel poverty is one of Britain’s most urgent problems. It affects millions – especially pensioners, low-income families, and those with health conditions. Poor insulation makes homes needlessly expensive to heat, whatever the energy source.
This isn’t about ideology – it’s about fairness and common sense and delivering results people can trust. By championing a performance-led, consumer-centred retrofit strategy, any political party can show it is serious about tackling Britain’s energy crisis while supporting industries rooted in the UK.
The prize is clear: warmer homes, potentially lower bills, and a stronger, more secure future – for every family, in every part of our great country.
For more information on ‘Outcomes-Based Guarantees’ to cut energy bills, please contact [email protected]
- MIMA, Making Performance-led Home Retrofit a Reality, February 2025.
