Ways to reduce heat loss
If heat loss can be reduced, less fuel is needed to heat the building and less carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere, thus reducing the increase in greenhouse gases that lead to global warming. There are several different ways to reduce heat loss.
Simple ways
Simple ways to reduce heat loss include fitting carpets, curtains and draught excluders. It is even possible to fit reflective foil in the walls or on them.
Double glazing
Heat loss through windows can be reduced by using double glazing. These special windows have air or a vacuum between two panes of glass. If the double glazing has a vacuum there will be no conduction or convection. If the double glazing is made with air between the glass then convection is minimised because there is little room for the air to move. Air is a poor conductor so there will be very little heat loss by conduction.
Cavity wall insulation
Heat loss through walls can be reduced using cavity wall insulation. This involves blowing insulating material into the gap between the brick and the inside wall. The insulating material contains pockets of trapped air and therefore reduces conduction and convection. The fibres of the insulation prevent the trapped air from circulating and causing a convection current to be set up. Due to the fact that less heat is transferred to the outside wall, it also reduces convection on the outside of the building.
Cavity wall insulation often has a layer of silver foil in order to reduce the heat lost by infrared radiation, by reflecting it back into the building.
Loft insulation
Heat loss through the roof can be reduced by laying loft insulation. This works in a similar way to cavity wall insulation.