Insulation

Improved performance of insulating materials and configuration within the ground floor, top floor ceiling and roof, and external walls can have a large effect on the overall performance of a dwelling, as would be expected. In addition, the construction methods can also be influential. Significant gains can be made by improving these main building elements for the simple reason that they comprise the planes of the building between the inner heated space and the outer unheated space.

Attention should be paid to the manufacturers u-value statements, usually found on the respective websites. When building to Code for Sustainable Homes specifications, every single component needs to be as good as possible to achieve the desired saving on Dwelling CO2 emissions. For instance, Code 3 would require 25% saving, and Code 4 40%, right down to Zero Carbon Homes. Retaining heat which has been generated can add a fairly robust contribution to the equation and will improve the Heat Loss Parameter.

To this end, manufacturers are in a commercial race to keep ahead of the game, so products are changing rapidly.

• Thermal Properties
• Thermal Mass
• Thermal Bridging
• Cylinders & Measured Heat Loss
• Dimensions
• Boilers & SEDBUK (Seasonal Efficiency Database of Boilers in the UK)
• Ventilation Systems & the Appendix Q database
• Solar Gains
• Insulation
• Space Heating Systems
• Water Heating Systems
• Low Carbon Power Souces
• Condensation & Dewpoint Analysis
• Heat Pumps