Reducing Heat Loss at Home – Warm Connections

Insulation – the where, what, who and how

Home A vital part of keeping your home warm Where  Insulation can be fitted above, below and around your house.The easiest is the attic. Below the floor is a simple win if you have access, and on the inside or outside of your walls is the other place. Sadly when it comes to real homes it’s often not quite as easy as it sounds; there are, however, more creative solutions and more products that work in sympathy with the original building. It is clear that better insulation can increase comfort and reduce bills. What  The two big questions are – is the insulation breathable or not (both have a place) and what is the environmental impact of the material itself – to produce, to dispose of and against its lifespan. (sustainable, natural products are becoming more common and performance data is available) Who  This is very challenging at present, especially when linked to the question of funding ….. but if the government is to meet its carbon reduction targets, changes will have to occur. There are larger corporate companies available, often with specialised products and skilled local tradespeople. Funders set criteria for installers but the lack of approved installers in this area means there needs to be an easier pathway to use our local installers, and still access funding. How The questions above often lead to several options, so the final part of the equation relates to cost and funding. There is considerable funding available, some means tested, some non means tested, some related to the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of the building, and some has constraints on who can be used to install (see above). Summary  More insulation is nearly always a good answer Solutions need to be designed specifically for your property The funding and installer process can be a challenge If you have explored this and come up with a blank it may be worth another look – Warm Connections are here to help. Previous Post

Window Improvements – a Summary of Options

Home Windows account for 10% of heat loss in many homes. In this article we will look at options for improving or replacing windows to reduce those losses. We will discuss the use of curtains, shutters and blinds next month. The summer is a good time to get work done ready for next winter. Older double glazing may be ‘blown’, in which case condensation will be visible inside. Double glazing standards changed in 2003, so older units might be worth updating if you are able to. If the frame is wood and in good condition and still fits well upgrading the glazing is better for the environment than replacing the whole units, and should be cheaper. As always there are a bewildering number of approaches available. The areas worth considering are the glazing type, frame materials, style (eg types of openings used by the window), security, longevity, price. The Glazing UnitsThe table below summarises much of this: The data above is a compilation from many sites – and inevitably individual products will vary  Secondary glazing has considerable thermal benefits over single and in addition can significantly reduce draughts, but may mean a window cannot be opened without removing the secondary pane. Double glazing can be narrow, ie a small gap between the panes, but a wider gap is more efficientTriple glazing is heavy and wide, but offers very good efficiency Vacuum glazing equals or exceeds the benefits of triple glazing but is thin enough to retro-fit into frames designed for single glazing Frame MaterialsThe variations here are about material costs, production costs, longevity, ongoing maintenance and heat loss through the framePVC has developed significantly, now being available in different colours and with convincing grain patterns if wanted. Window Style  This is in part about choice but can re-specified by planning, particularly in conservation areas. Retro-fit and Conservation Area Requirements  Some areas have planning restrictions which limit the construction materials or design of windows. If the current frames are in good condition single panes can be replaced with thin double glazing (‘heritage glazing’) or vacuum units. Doors  Doors can be made to match windows. Energy efficiency is important and each material has different ways to ensure insulation and draught proofing is maximised. The door ‘furniture’ should also be considered; for example a letter box may be unnecessary and newer style keys avoid the need to have a draughty hole right through the door. Previous Post

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Curtains and Blinds

Home We remember an energy adviser coming to visit us during our first cold winter in our house; he had lots of helpful advice – all very useful but he was not satisfied; I think he realized we were not really curtain people, and spent a while enthusing about how much curtains help to keep a room warm; so, reluctantly we committed to using and improving our curtains. What a difference it made to the temperature of the house….a win-win situation, as we can keep the house warmer, bring our energy bills down AND help the environment, all at the same time. Even better, it’s probably the lowest effort, highest benefit thing which we have done at home, so we can’t help encouraging others. Windows (even double-glazed) form a cold surface, so warmer air inside will cool wherever it contacts the glass. Heat also radiates through glass and is lost from the room. Finally, if the window frames are draughty there is even better reason to close your blinds or curtains. So, how do I maximise the benefits of curtains and blinds? Use thermal curtains / blinds as much as possible, or secondary thermal curtains are available which attach to the same rail but just behind the curtains themselves. Just like clothes – layers are good and trapped air also works well. Make sure there is as little gap as possible between the curtains and the window sill. If possible, minimising or removing the gaps at the side of the curtains, and reaching the ground will also help. If the curtains cover your radiators, either shorten them or tuck them up onto the window sill to allow the heat from the radiator into the room. Close curtains / blinds as it’s getting dark, aiming to beat that rapid temperature drop which we have all felt as the sun drops but it’s not yet dark. Don’t forget to open your curtains again to allow sunlight (and therefore warmth) in, particularly on south- facing windows. And having said all this, if it does get hot this summer we may find ourselves closing curtains to keep some of the cool in. Hard to imagine as we write this article on another chilly June day! People often ask “are curtains or blinds better”? Perhaps two better questions would be firstly, “How is the draught being stopped?” Curtains often use pleats to press against the wall beside the window, hence reducing draughts, and blinds can run down tracks at the edges to stop draughts. And secondly “How effective is the thermal barrier?” Curtains maximise the barrier using lining and quilting, whilst blinds frequently use reflective foil and air gaps between layers to form a barrier to reduce heat loss. Lastly – let’s not forget the humble shutter. If you are fortunate enough to have shutters in your home it is well worth using them, as they make a really effective first line of defense. The following links may be useful:Second Hand: Buying second hand is always good for the environment and our pockets. Our Thrift Shop often has curtains for sale, as does Remake in Crieff – https://remakescotland.co.uk. Secondary Curtains: Dunelm – https://www.dunelm.com/search?q=curtain+thermal+linings Thermal Blinds: https://www.blinds-2go.co.uk/energy-saving-thermal-blinds.htm And with side sliders which form an even tighter seal – https://www.blinds-2go.co.uk/perfect-fit Velux Options: Blinds – https://www.veluxblindsdirect.co.uk/product/velux-blinds/energy-blinds Shutters: https://www.veluxblindsdirect.co.uk/product/velux-blinds/roller-shutters Previous Post

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