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Unit 14-Part A-Energy Loss in Homes.
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Unit 14-Part A-Energy Loss in Homes
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Priya WillkhuPart A- Provide report on the possible methods of insulation that can be used to minimise
heat loss in homes. Your report must explain the science of how the methods of insulation
work and their cost- effectiveness.
Loft Insulation- By having loft insulation it reduces heat loss and the cost for lost insulation
is £300 with an annual saving around £150. Which is very cost effective as the payback
time is 2 years without loft insulation you are losing upto 25% of heat, it is a better insulator
as it traps the air from coming inside and reduces conduction. Loft insulation is done by
using rolls of mineral wool insulation. The first layer is laid between the joists – the
horizontal beams that make up the floor of the loft – then another layer is laid at right angles
to cover the joists and make the insulation up to the required depth.
Cavity Walls & Insulation- Heat loss through walls can be prevented by using cavity wall
insulation. This involves putting insulating material into the gap between the brick and the
inside walls. Insulating materials are bad conductors and this reduces the heat loss by
conduction. The material prevents air circulating inside the cavity, therefore reducing heat
loss by convection. By having cavity walls it costs about £500 and allows an annual saving
of approximately £200, the payback time is 3 years which is cost effective as the insulation
will last a long time. Without cavity walls and insulation you are losing upto 35% of heat.
Draught Proofing- Draught proofing is one of the cheapest and effective ways to save
energy and money. Draughts let in too much cold air and waste too much heat. To prevent
this from happening draught-proofing your home this allows you to block up unwanted
gaps that let cold air in and warm air out. Saving warm air means you’ll use less energy to
heat your home, the cost is about £150 so you'll save money upto an annual saving around
£25 with a payback time of 6 years which is long time meaning this isn’t cost effective.
Without draught proofing you lose upto 15% of heat.
Carpet- The floors in homes without insulation loose heat. A way to insulate the floors it to
lay carpet, which reduces conduction. The initial cost for laying carpet is £700. However the
annual saving is £40, with a payback time of 14 years this shows that it is not very cost
effective however carpet can last for a long time but people will replace carpet within 14
years due to cosmetic reasons or the carpet is too dirty..
Hot Water Tank Jacket- A hot water tank jacket helps to reduce conduction and it traps air
making it a better insulator this is done by using a fibreglass wool to cover the hot water
tank. It has an initial cost of about £80 and an annual saving of around £25 therefore only
takes 3 years to pay back which is rather cost effective. Without the hot water tank jacket
you are losing upto 15% of heat.
Double Glazing- Some windows do not have double glazing so they are losing 10% of heat
and air can still enter to prevent this double glazing will trap the air entering. Double glazing
is two layers of glass with an air gap between to reduce conduction and condensation. This
cost for double glazing is about £4000, and with an annual saving of approx £150 with a
long payback time of 27 years which is not very cost effective because people move homes
within 27 years.
Thick Curtains- Thick curtains are another way of insulating the home but also reduces
conduction and radiation through the windows. The cost for curtains are £180 and have a
annual saving of £20 with a payback time of 9 years which is a long time and not very cost
effective.
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