Tips to improve thermal insulation in an Australian home.
Improving thermal insulation at home will have a direct impact on our comfort, and will also help us reduce monthly heating and air conditioning consumption. We must also not forget the environmental benefits of reducing our energy consumption. For all this, we show you the secrets to improving the thermal insulation of your home.
The coldest months of the year are when we remember insulation most, when we notice the cold infiltrating every corner of the house, or when we see our heating bills skyrocket. Having a well-insulated home is what will allow us to enjoy a comfortable environment without the need to keep the heating always on (and not too high). Indirectly, by reducing our energy consumption, we will also be improving our environmental impact
And the big question is… how can we improve the thermal insulation of our home? The roof, the walls, the windows… in short, all the elements that make up the house’s surroundings are points through which heat can escape. Acting on them and improving their insulation is what will help us improve the comfort of our homes and reduce energy consumption.
We must not forget that, although we are now talking about cold due to the date we are in, having a thermally insulated house will also be beneficial in summer. The high temperatures will stay outside and we won’t need to turn on the air conditioning.
Insulation of walls and ceilings
If you want to improve the thermal insulation at home, you will need to check the walls and ceilings. Choosing insulating materials such as glass wool, polyurethane foam or expanded cork can make all the difference when it comes to retaining heat in winter and cool air in summer. You will also have to pay special attention to possible cracks in the house and repair them.
Wall insulation can be carried out in two ways: outside or inside. If you opt for an interior insulation solution, the insulation will be blown in through holes, although another option is to install a wall and/or ceiling covering. On the exterior, it is generally carried out when the entire building is renovated, as it involves changes to the facade.
The importance of windows in thermal insulation
One of the most economical ways to significantly improve the thermal insulation of your home is to replace the windows. Most Spanish homes still have old windows, through which 30% of energy escapes, which is why they are so important for home comfort.
The profile material, and the glass, are aspects that we must take into account when choosing new windows if we want to improve the thermal insulation of our home. See what we have to offer you.
PVC windows: efficiency and durability
The window profile can be made from different materials, but if we are looking for insulation, we will have to choose a non-conductive material, which makes the sensation of cold to the touch disappear. PVC is characterized by its thermal insulation properties and has low thermal conductivity (although all PVC is the same, we talk about this below). If you have ever touched a PVC window in the middle of winter, you will have noticed that, no matter how cold it is outside, even if it is snowing, the profile remains at room temperature. This translates into thermal comfort, keeping heat inside the house during winter and blocking outside heat in summer.
In addition to their insulation properties, PVC windows are characterized by their resistance, durability, and low maintenance. Unlike other materials, PVC does not require painting or periodic treatment but can be kept looking like new with soap and water.
What you should know is that not all PVC is the same, but that each profile manufacturer uses its formula. This fact influences aspects such as color, resistance, etc. At Kömmerling, we work according to the Greenline concept, which guarantees the manufacture of a 100% recyclable PVC formula and properties that give the profiles dimensional stability, impact resistance, resistance to atmospheric agents, color stability, etc.
Importance of glass and installation
Alongside the profile, the glass will be responsible for the good performance achieved by the window. Nowadays, the minimum is to choose double glazing with an air chamber between them, as this will significantly improve the insulation performance. Based on this and depending on our needs, the orientation of the house, etc., we can choose other types of glass or filters (solar control, low emissivity, etc.).
Once the window has been chosen, its installation is no less important. It is a job that should be left in the hands of qualified professionals, who carry out correct sealing to avoid unwanted air infiltration that could lead to a loss of thermal comfort. To improve the thermal insulation of your home, it is not worth choosing the best windows if they are not installed correctly.
Don’t forget the doors and floors
The importance of floors and doors in the thermal insulation of a house should not be overlooked. Choosing insulating materials for your floors and ensuring that doors are well sealed will go a long way toward maintaining a constant temperature in your home.
Floors, especially if they are in contact with the outside ground, can be significant sources of heat loss. Installing insulating materials under floors can help maintain indoor temperatures and reduce the need for heating. On the other hand, installing high-performance doors, especially when facing outwards, will prevent unwanted drafts, ensuring a more comfortable and energy-efficient indoor environment.
Choosing the best insulation installers in Wollongong plays a vital role in reducing energy bills and increasing the overall comfort levels within homes.
Improving the thermal insulation of your home is a smart investment that has an impact not only on comfort but also on energy consumption and is therefore an investment that pays off in the long term. As we have seen, when we are unable to pay for full rehabilitation, changing windows is a very effective option for creating a more efficient, sustainable, and comfortable home, allowing us to enjoy the advantages of good thermal insulation throughout the year. Furthermore, we must not forget that we will also be reducing the carbon footprint of our homes.