It is a common issue for homes to receive heat loss. This can be annoying during the winter when you are most likely to have the heating on, only for it to escape outside. The reason for this is due to poor insulation and can occur in old and new build homes. However, simple changes can be made to prevent this from being a regular occurrence. In this article, you will find the simplest ways to prevent heat loss in homes and buildings, and how better you can manage the use of heating in your home.
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Where is the likeliest place heat loss occurs?
Heat loss can occur in any area around your home, but especially in certain locations more than others. This includes losing heat through the roof and the walls. It depends on how well-insulated your home is and what measures may have already been implemented to reduce heat loss. Here are a few tips on how you can reduce heat loss:
How to stop heat loss from escaping through the walls
The usual case is that poor wall insulation is the cause of most heat loss in homes. In fact, at least 40% of heat loss in homes is caused by poorly insulated walls, according to Northern Energy. Most UK homes built by 1930 have solid walls, whereas more new build homes have cavity walls since they are easier to install insulation.
Cavity wall insulation is done by injecting insulated materials into the walls, slowing the heating process across the wall. Whilst cavity wall insulation is cheaper, solid wall insulation is more expensive and complicated to install. Either external or internal wall insulation is required for this process.
How to stop heat from escaping through the roof
Another way in which you may get heat loss in homes is through the roof. Yes, heat rises, which means it is important to keep your roof well insulated too. Often, you may find that draughts and cold spots can lead to damp as well, and this is because of problems with the roof. According to the Energy Saving Trust (EST), “a quarter of heat is lost through the roof in an uninsulated home.”
The best and simplest way that you can prevent heat loss is by insulating your roof, lost, or attic. Doing this will help contain more heat within your home living space and improve home energy efficiency, and by EST standards, it will “pay for itself many times over in its 40-year lifetime.”
How to stop heat from escaping through the windows
Thirdly, heat loss in homes can be caused through poor window glazing, too. House windows that have not been installed and insulated properly can also cause air leakage. According to the Department of Energy (DoE), “windows are responsible for 25%-30% of residential heating and cooling energy use.” This means that the average UK home will lose 10% of heating through the windows. Simple ways of counteracting this are keeping blinds and curtains closed, more so during the winter.
Replacing window glazing is not the easiest or cheapest option. If you have checked your windows and believe them to be in good condition, there are simple ways to improve their efficiency by adding draught proofing or secondary glazing, both of which will help contain more heat.
How to stop heat from escaping through the floor
Lastly, most heat loss in homes can be caused by poor flooring. Again, about 10% of average UK homes will lose heat through the flooring. To help combat this, you can insulate your flooring or add in alternative heating methods such as underfloor heating, which will help to improve your heating as well as save on prices throughout the year.
We also offer a helpful guide towards how to install underfloor heating if you fancy a bit of DIY!
How to adapt the boiler
Improving your boiler’s efficiency will help the overall performance of heating in your home, too, as well as reduce the costs of your energy bills and will help to prevent heat loss in homes. Common factory-built boilers have a temperature flow set to 75°C, which causes the return temperatures to take too long to heat up as efficiently.
Instead, dropping the temperature flow to 60°C instead will allow water to warm up better and get better efficiency from your boiler. 60°C will allow your boiler to better condense water vapour and recover heat within the vapourisation better than if it was 70°C.
How to add draught proofing
Adding draught-proofing is a cheap and easy way to help retain heat in your home and prevent heat loss in homes. Draught proofing can be added to doors, windows, floorboards, an unused chimney, and other areas around your home where you can save at least £30 a year. It is also a very innovative home improvement that will help add value to your property.
Installing heat controls
There are many ways that you can improve the heating controls and help reduce heat loss in homes, such as timers, thermostats, and different heating components, such as quality connector cores. For the last few years, smart meters have been the most common and practical method for checking heat measurements in a household and help the homeowner to save more on energy. Most upgrades can be made without even having to update or replace your boiler.
Prevent Heat Loss in Your Home Today
There are many options you can choose from to reduce heat loss in your home. Whilst fuel bills are reaching an all-time high, you should undertake simple yet effective methods to sustain the use of heat in your home. The last thing you want is to be spending money on heating that you are not getting 100% use out of.
By checking out the options listed above, you could be well on your way towards better controlling your heating settings and improving your home sustainability, which in the long run, will increase your household budget in the future.
FAQs
What are some common areas where heat loss occurs in homes?
Heat loss in homes can occur in many areas, including through windows and doors, walls, roofs, floors, and chimneys. Additionally, poorly insulated attics and crawl spaces, as well as gaps and cracks in a home’s exterior can also contribute to heat loss.
How does insulation affect heat loss in homes?
Insulation helps to reduce heat loss in homes by slowing down the movement of heat through a home’s walls, floors, and ceilings. Properly installed insulation can help keep a home warm in the winter and cool in the summer by preventing heat from escaping or entering.
Can outdated heating systems contribute to heat loss in a home?
Yes, outdated heating systems can be a significant contributor to heat loss in a home. If a heating system is not functioning properly, it may not be able to effectively heat a home, which can lead to higher energy bills and increased heat loss.
Can weatherstripping and sealing doors and windows help prevent heat loss?
Yes, weatherstripping and sealing doors and windows can help prevent heat loss in homes by reducing air leaks. This can help keep warm air inside during the winter and prevent hot air from entering during the summer.
How can I determine if my home is experiencing heat loss?
You may be able to detect heat loss in homes by noticing drafts near windows and doors, cold spots in certain rooms, or an increase in energy bills. A professional home energy audit can also help identify areas of heat loss and provide recommendations for improving energy efficiency.
Sources
Northern Energy. (2022, February 8). The 4 Main Sources of Heat Loss in the Home. Northern Energy. [accessed 17/03/23] Available at: https://www.northernenergy.co.uk/news/the-4-main-sources-of-heat-loss-in-the-home/
Energy Saving Trust. (n.d.). Roof and Loft Insulation. Energy Saving Trust. [accessed 17/03/23]. Available at: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/roof-and-loft-insulation/
U.S. Department of Energy. (n.d.). Update or Replace Windows. Energy.gov. [Accessed 17/03/23]. Available at: https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/update-or-replace-windows
