by Mark Row

Useful tips on increasing energy-efficiency within your home

saving energy during the winter image1Saving energy during the winter is a very important issue for many reasons. Not only because it helps you save money on your electricity bills, but also because it leads to optimal use of your heating system and enables you to control the inner temperature by simply applying some common tricks that can really make a difference. When it comes to saving energy during the winter, it is crucial to maintain a perfect balance between keeping your home warm enough while saving energy at the same time, since your desire to save money must never lead to making your home cold and unbearable to live in. Lower energy consumption also has a positive impact on the environment, which is equally important bearing in mind all the potential health and eco-risks that modern society brings. This is why we believe that some useful tips on increasing energy-efficiency within your home as well as some things you should especially pay intention to, such as proper insulation, can really make a difference.

Basics on preventing heat loss

Firstly, there are some basic terms you should understand and consider before learning about saving energy during the winter and properly protecting your home. Namely, heat loss is measured through heat conduction represented as U value. The equation is quite simple – greater U value means greater heat loss, in terms of heat conduction. Another important value is the R value which presents the ability to resist the loss of heat. This measurement is used and is especially important in when it comes to insulation products, since insulation products with higher R value have greater heat loss resistance and thus have better thermal insulation performance.

Now when you are aware of the way the heat flows, here are some useful tips on saving energy during the winter.

  • saving energy during the winter image2Try keeping a constant inner temperature during winter months, by setting and  keeping your thermostat at specific temperature (of around 20°C). You can always install a timer that will make your thermostat turn off automatically whenever it reaches the set temperature. As though it is important not to exaggerate when it comes to saving energy during the winter, always keep in mind that winter months are meant to be cold, so do not expect to walk around in your shirt or shorts when it is freezing outside, but try putting on some additional clothing or covering yourself with an extra blanket during the night and accordingly lower your inner temperature.

 

  • Insulate your windows and doors properly, by simply closing or covering some gaps, cracks and holes, which is usually a DIY job. Namely, many research have shown that improper window insulation is a cause of great heat loss, since cold air saving energy during the winter image3can easily penetrate in and the heat can easily get out. In order of preventing such problems, you can also opt for double glazed windows or some window treatment with substantial insulating performance, such as Venetian window blinds that can help protect your home from unwanted external effects.

 

  • saving energy during the winter image4Switching your lights off whenever not needed or used is yet another way of saving energy during the winter. Especially make sure that all the lights are switched off when you are leaving your home. This tip is also applicable to other electrical appliances in your home, such as your computer, microwave, your TV or mobile phone charger. You can also go for some more energy-efficient lighting, such as using halogen or LED lights which offer a much brighter light at a much lower price and are also very eco-friendly.

 

  • saving energy during the winter image5Optimal use of available amount of heat is also important foe saving energy during the winter, so close the doors regularly in order of avoiding heat transfer from rooms you most commonly use to areas of your home which are only transitional (such as hallways) or are not used as often (like storages). Also try to make the most of available natural heat by keeping your windows or blinds opened whenever it is warmer and sunny outside.

 

Insulation and preventing heat loss

Besides previously mentioned advices on saving energy during the winter which are easily applicable and commonly used, another important thing is definitely proper insulation. Namely, insulation can considerably contribute minimizing or preventing heat loss within your home. Proper insulation is a thing to consider not only in the construction phase, but also every time you decide to remodel your home, use it to also improve its insulation.

In the terms of energy-efficiency during winter months, ceiling and loft, as well as external wall insulation is of great importance, since considerable amount of heat can be transferred and thus lost through poorly insulated ceilings or external walls. Insulation can basically be achieved in two common ways, as bulk insulation which presents an air barrier and blocks the heat preventing it from getting out and reflective insulation which reflects the heat off its surface. As said before, always consider the R value of your insulation product, since higher R value indicates higher resistance to heat loss and thus can contribute to saving energy during the winter.

Ceiling insulation is especially important when it comes to thermal insulation, since some research have shown that almost 45% of heat loss is lost through the ceiling. You can insulate your ceiling by using poured, blown or batt-type materials, with or without vapor barriers attached. Here, you can opt for Knauf Plasterboard which is strong and versatile plasterboard providing key cladding component in the majority of partitions, linings and ceilings, Rockwool Insulation Slab for a wide range of thermal, acoustic and fire insulation requirements both within buildings and for industry or International Petroleum Products Mutifoil Insulation, a sophisticated multi layer radiant barrier of low emissivity comprising 14 layers.

saving energy during the winter plasterboard wallboard Knauf            saving energy during the winter Rockwool            saving energy during the winter alumaflex multifoil insulation

          Knauf Plasterboard                   Rockwool Insulation Slab             Alumaflex Multifoil Insulation

On the other hand, when it comes to saving  energy during the winter, external wall insulation system is a protective exterior cladding system, consisting of polyurethane foam or phenolic foam, mineral wool and expanded polystyrene, all combined with synthetic, mineral or cement based finish, such as scratch plaster render, silicone water-proofers, smooth\painted finishes, texture coatings, brick slips, timber boards etc. Herewith, we can offer you high-quality Kay-Metzeler and Jablite Polysterene External Boards, Celotex PIR External Boards or Kingspen and Xtratherm Phenolic External Boards. You can also find everything else you might need, such as Arsanit Silicone Render, Wemico Aluminum Profiles and Beads, Promat Calcium Silicate Boards or Friulsider Insulation Fixings.

saving energy during the winter Polystyrene External Boards             saving energy during the winter PIR External Boards             saving energy during the winter Phenolic External Boards

Polystyrene External Boards         PIR External Boards             Phenolic External Boards

All the named products are all properly certified and consistent with applicable regulations, with substantial thermal and acoustic performances, available right here at  Insulation Shop.

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