As a homeowner, reducing heat loss is essential for several important reasons. It enhances energy efficiency, reduces energy costs, and helps to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. But what are the best ways to do it?
In this blog, we’ll explore why insulation is the key to reducing heat loss, the critical areas to insulate, and additional tips on keeping your home warm and energy-efficient for years to come.
Why is Insulation the Key to Preventing Heat Loss?
By creating a barrier between your warm home and the cooler outdoors, insulation effectively minimises heat loss by slowing down the transfer of heat. With the proper insulation, your heating system doesn’t have to work as hard to achieve and maintain a comfortable indoor temperature, therefore allowing you to save energy and the associated costs.
Essentially, insulation keeps the warm air inside during winter and the hot air out during summer, working to achieve optimal energy efficiency and indoor comfort.
Where Should I Insulate to Prevent Heat Loss in My Home?
There are many areas around the home that can be insulated for significant benefits across your entire property. These areas include:
Wall Insulation
As one of the most effective ways to prevent heat loss, there are two main types of wall insulation: cavity wall insulation and solid wall insulation.
Cavity wall insulation, such as our Superglass 36 Cavity Insulation and Rockwool RWA45, works by filling the gap between two layers of brickwork in the walls. Solid wall insulation can be applied either externally or internally. External insulation involves adding a layer of insulating material to the outside wall and then covering it with a protective render or cladding. Internal insulation involves fixing insulation boards, like our insulated plasterboard, to inside walls. Both these methods work to significantly reduce heat loss and improve thermal comfort, although internal insulation can be more effective for energy savings.
Loft Insulation
Since warm air rises, insulating your loft is a highly effective way to reduce heat loss in your home. Loft insulation is laid between and over the joists in your loft space, creating a thermal barrier that prevents heat from escaping through the roof.
Loft insulation, such as our Rockwool Flexi Slab, is an excellent method to save more on your heating bills.
Floor Insulation
Floor insulation is often overlooked, but it can drastically prevent heat loss, especially for homes with uninsulated floors above unheated spaces. It can also help with eliminating drafts and providing soundproofing by reducing noise from below or between floors.
Floor insulation, such as our SuperFOIL SFTV, is applied beneath floorboards or can be installed as insulating boards over existing floors.
Pitched Roof Insulation
If your home has a pitched roof, insulating the roof itself is a crucial method of reducing heat loss. Pitched roof insulation can be installed between the rafters that reduces heat loss through the roof by creating a thermal barrier.
This type of insulation, including TYVEK FireCurb Housewrap Breather Membrane, is particularly ideal if you have a loft conversion or use your loft for storage.
How Else Can I Reduce Heat Loss?
Aside from insulation, there are several other measures you can take to reduce heat loss in your home, including:
- Sealing gaps and cracks: Make sure all gaps and cracks around doors, windows, and other openings are sealed with caulking or weatherstripping, as this prevents the cold air from entering and the warm air from escaping.
- Heavy curtains: By using heavy curtains, you can help keep heat inside your home, especially during the night, as they add an extra layer of insulation to your windows.
- Draft excluders: Ideal for interior doors, draft excluders can be placed at the bottom of doors to block cold drafts, effectively reducing heat loss.
- Rugs and carpets: Rugs and carpets can add an extra layer of insulation to keep your home warmer and more comfortable. Thick carpets work best, but a simple rug can also make a noticeable difference.
Enjoy a Comfortable and Sustainable Home
If you want to reduce heat loss in your home, insulating key areas like walls, lofts, floors, and pitched roofs is an effective and long-lasting way to improve energy efficiency, reduce energy bills, and regulate indoor temperature. And with additional measures like sealing gaps and using carpets and rugs, you can enjoy a sustainable, eco-friendly, and most importantly, comfortable home.
Browse our insulation products today or get in touch with our team for more information on reducing heat loss in your home – we're happy to help.
DISCLAIMER: The contents of this guide are intended for information purposes only. Insulation king shall not be liable, answerable or accountable for any loss or damage resulting from the advice given