HOW TO PREVENT HEAT LOSS AT HOME

Heat loss is a serious problem and can have a significant impact on energy consumption, resulting in higher bills and polluting emissions. You should be looking to achieve maximum energy efficiency at home by using thermal insulation, purchasing efficient appliances and systems, and opting for greener choices that boast improved environmental sustainability.

There are several great solutions on the market nowadays, so it is important to weigh up the benefits of renovating your home or replacing your old heating system with a new condensing boiler. You should also know what your home’s energy requirements are, be able to accurately monitor consumption, and try to identify any bad habits or structural issues causing energy wastage. Let’s find out how to prevent heat loss at home with a step-by-step guide to improving home efficiency.

The most common causes of household energy wastage

Before looking at how to optimise energy efficiency, you need to carefully evaluate your home, and learn precisely where heat loss occurs. One of the most common causes of heat loss is a lack of or insufficient insulation, which is quite common, especially in old buildings. The same can be said for inadequate fixtures and fittings, such as worn posts or those lacking any thermal insulation.

Heat loss is also caused by bad habits, such as leaving the windows open when your boiler or air conditioning is on, forgetting to adjust the thermostat or thermostatic valves, and neglecting to arrange routine system maintenance.

Energy wastage at home can also be caused by inefficient devices, such as low-energy class appliances, old generation boilers, boilers with outdated technologies, and obsolete cooling systems.

How to reduce heat loss at home

To eliminate heat loss you need to approach the problem from all sides, evaluating the actions to be taken with the support of a professional. An expert can inspect your home and assess all critical areas in which to intervene before recommending the best solutions to counteract heat loss. This allows you to research the changes that need to be made, taking into account the required investments.

Improving the thermal insulation of your home

The first thing to do to improve the efficiency of your home is to install better thermal insulation and renovate the building to upgrade its energy class. Potential options vary from applying thermal cladding, to replacing windows, insulating walls, roofs and floors, and installing sun controls.

Use your heating well

If used poorly, your boiler can be a significant source of heat loss, which is why you can save on heating by eliminating drafts, installing a modern programmable thermostat, and adjusting the temperature. To reduce energy expenditure, try to make best use of natural sunlight in winter, never skip boiler maintenance, and choose an efficient, eco-friendly system, such as an innovative combi system equipped with a condensing boiler and heat pump.

Ventilate your house carefully

Ventilating your home is incredibly important as it allows you to promote airflow while protecting your health. That being said, it’s important to know how to do so correctly to avoid unnecessary heat loss. You only need to circulate air for 3-5 minutes in a medium-sized room. Avoid leaving doors and windows open for a long time and you will have a minimal impact on energy efficiency.

Do not cover your radiators in winter

Radiators are used for domestic heating in most homes, however, there is a tendency to use radiators to dry wet clothes. People also place clutter near their radiators, which affects their performance. Both habits waste heat and increase consumption, so never cover your radiators, do not place anything on top of them, remove furniture and objects blocking them, and make sure to have them checked regularly by a technician.

Invest in technological developments

Nowadays, smart homes don’t just promise improved comfort, they’re also a useful way to increase efficiency and reduce energy waste. Investing in technological innovation allows you to reduce heat loss, monitor consumption with greater accuracy, consult useful information to optimise energy use, and remotely set systems and appliances. Transforming your house into a smart home is a cost-effective decision and investing in new technologies will make your home greener, more comfortable and cheaper to maintain.