How Does Insulation Keep Heat Out?

With High UK Temperatures breaking Records, Loft Insulation is likely to be the last thing you are considering when it comes to keeping your Home Cool.

Energy Efficient Home Insulation will save energy and reduce heat loss during the winter, and insulation will also keep heat out during the Summer Months.

Loft Insulation

We would generally associate Loft Insulation with big thick chunks of Wool, so how does it work when it comes to keeping cool air in our Homes.

In short, Insulation acts as a Thermal Resistance Barrier, keeping Heat in during the cold months and preventing heat from entering the Home in the Summer.

To understand this a little more, let's look at how a Homes Heat Transfer works during the Summer.

Your Home heats up through Sunlight absorbed into the Building, which is usually directly through Windows and the Roof.

The Heat absorbed externally combines with the Heat generated inside the Home by Occupants, Kitchen appliances, Electricity and Gas Boilers.

Loft Insulation is easy to install and highly effective in keeping the Heat in your Loft Space from entering the rest of the Home to combine with the internally generated Heat.

Now that we understand how the Heat moves around our Home and how Insulation helps, we can manage the way we Ventilate our Home to ensure we get optimum benefits.

Ensuring your Loft is well Insulated will mean the Heat coming directly through your Roof will not be transferred down into your Living Space and begin to Circulate.

Your Loft Space can hit forty degrees in the Summer, and without Insulation, this heat will quickly transfer to your Upper Floor.

It is also essential your Insulation is installed correctly, as any gaps or not meeting the required depth may provide opportunities for air to pass through.

Other Types of Insulation Material

Whilst the Loft is a great place to start, additional ways to insulate your home for better year-round energy efficiency and comfort include

• Cavity wall insulation

• Solid wall insulation

• External wall insulation

• Floor Insulation

• Insulation around Hot Water Pipes

• Double Glazing

• Insulation around your Water Tank

• Cavity Closers

Whilst some of these options are quick and easy, others may be more complicated and expensive depending on your type of Property.

In the Summer Months, Ventilation is vital.

If you can, try to allow air to enter the building when it is cooler, for instance, in the evening, early morning or at night.

Find ways to lock the cooler air in when the temperature rises during the day.

• Draw Curtains

• Keep Windows Closed

• Try to circulate the cool Air using Fans

Insulating your home is an efficient way to prevent loss of heat in the Colder Months and reflect heat in the Hotter Periods of the Year.

Insulation for your Loft is relatively simple and cheap to start with and can be installed any time of the year.

Remember, your Loft will hit High Temperatures if installed during Summer, so take precautions, including Hydration and short periods of time in the Loft.

If you decide to install your Insulation, remember to ensure you have adequate tools and safety measures in place;

• Lighting

• Dust Mask

• Goggles

• Gloves

• Knee Pads

• Saw

• Craft Knife

• Tape Measure

• Kneel Board

• Safety Suit

There are professionals out there who will ensure your Insulation is installed for maximum efficiency.

Start with the Energy Saving Trust, which can also provide a list of National Insulation Association Members.

Insulation work can be a quick fix to a more comfortable house, lower energy consumption, lower cooling and heating bills, and is environmentally friendly.