A technical guide to reducing heat loss in the home   

We have always been told that the best way to cut on your heating and cooling bills is to reduce the heat loss in the home. Heat that escapes through the windows naturally would make the house colder and would require more heat from the radiator.

To increase the energy efficiency of your windows, you need to adopt some steps. But it is necessary for you to know the other areas in your home where heat is lost. Heat is lost through the windows, roof, and gaps through doors, walls and floors. Following are a few steps to lessen your home’s heat loss.

1. Calculate the insulation amid the beams in your attic. This will evaluate if the recommended R-value standards are met. To check this out: take the number of inches of loose insulation and multiply it by 3.7; for fiberglass insulation, multiply the value by 3.1 per inch. If the results you get do not meet the R-value standard, then you need to add more insulation. The suggested R-value for attics is R38 and R26 for moderate climate.

2. Calculate the temperature in the different parts of a room. A difference in temperature of one or two degrees indicates that the room is not well sealed. This is as simple as weather stripping around windows and doors.

3. Confirm if there are any flow of air around your windows and doors. Take a tissue and put it next to the slits where your windows and doors open and close. If it flaps then you know that you have insufficient weather stripping and therefore must be improved or changed. Similarly, if light shows from the outside around the door and window beam, then heat loss occurs.

4. With the help of your local utility company, carry out a home energy audit. You may be provided with a home energy audit kit by the utility company or may be charged for it.

5. Frost building up on your windows only shows that weatherstripping was not done well and that you had an insufficient storm window. Adding a coat of plastic sheeting or improving the weatherstripping on the interior and exterior side of your windows will reduce the heat loss.

6. If moisture increases in the space between the storm window and the window, then frost or condensation between the windows occurs. You need to improve on your weatherstripping. Ensure that there is an opening for moisture in the storm window. If there is none, drill one or two holes in the lower bar of your storm window.

7. Examine the insulation and weatherstripping. Look for any indications of wear and tear such as degeneration of the rubber or foam, stiffening of stuff such as the felt or foam rubber (they should be supple) and broken metal stripping.

8. Observe on your energy usage and cost. Make a comparison for each year although you must take into consideration changes in utility rate and weather conditions.

9. Request an infrared inspection service to take a photo of your home’s infrared. Through the photos, you will be able to know the exact places where heat is lost and can do the necessary changes.

Remember that a house that is well-insulated will save you money on utility bills. To find out whether your efforts have been successful, order an Domestic EPC London.

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