Roof

Heat loss through the roof area is one of the highest percentages. This is because hot air rises, and so naturally finds its way to the highest point of the property. In order to maximize the reduction in losing expensive heat through the roof, the most effective and straightforward solution is to ensure that your loft has sufficient, quality insulation installed. This ensures that the warm air remains in the property, and does not escape through the ceilings and into uninsulated loft areas, and then out through the roof fabric. Specific insulating material needs to be laid between and across the wooden joists directly above the ceiling to maximize the potential heat loss areas and to therefore prevent heat escaping through the ceiling area and eventually through the roof.

Underfloor

Floor insulation is not usually practical for most homes, although thick carpets with a quality fitted underlay will reduce heat loss. If there are poor fitting floorboards, the gaps between can be filled with a material to assist with reducing heat loss. Underfloor insulation is ideal when a property has a cellar, which, if not insulated, the ceiling/ground floor area would allow cold air to travel up to the accommodation above, creating a reduction in required temperature in the ground floor rooms.

Walls

Heat loss through external walls is generally the highest percentage of heat loss through a property and there are several solutions to improve the energy efficiency qualities depending on the type of construction. Standard brick built constructions, with a cavity wall, can benefit from cavity wall insulation, which inserts a wall product between the external walls to create a barrier, enabling the heat to remain within the property. If a property has a random stone construction there is a foam based product which can be injected into the irregular cavity, with the same benefits as cavity wall insulation. For solid wall properties, external wall insulation can be applied to the external walls, not only offering heat retention qualities, but also cosmetically enhancing a property’s appearance, as this is a cladding product. Wall insulation is a great way of reducing heat loss in a property, and if installed by a professional, registered company, will provide a guaranteed installation and trouble free process.

Windows and doors

Double glazed windows and efficient doors are an effective way of reducing heat loss through a glazed area, due to the energy saving qualities built into the window system. Single glazed windows generally have a wooden or metal frame, which over time can weaken and become lose, and together with a single pane of glass, encourage heat loss, as it creates a cold spot. Ideally new UPVC double glazed window systems will be most effective, but secondary glazing fitted behind single glazed units can also create an improvement in heat loss opportunities. Poorly fitting external doors will also enable heat to escape through any gaps, and the internal heating will be lost through these areas.

Draught proofing

A considerable amount of expensive heat can be lost through poor fitting doors, windows and loft hatches. It is a fairly simple and inexpensive solution to fit draught proofing around all external doors, windows and any loft hatches to ensure a tight closure and reduce the opportunity for heat loss through these areas.