Thermal Efficiency, what is it?

To achieve energy efficiency we must first address the thermal efficiency of a building. “Thermal Efficiency” refers to the ability of a building to retain warmth in winter or keep cool in summer, therefore requiring less energy to artificially heat or cool the building. This is done by using insulating and weather proofing building materials and design during construction, or by retrofitting them to existing buildings.

Generally we recommend attending to draughts, glazing, ceiling insulation and external shading first. Energy, heat and cooling is lost through draught gaps in the building, single glazed windows and via the ceiling, and stopping that loss will make a substantial difference (see fig 1.0). Similarly, external shading will help to reduce substantial heat gains through windows and walls during summer. Attending to these factors will ensure your building is well sealed, and able to retain heat in winter, and stay cool in summer. These are also usually the easiest areas to attend to without too much disruption and expense.

For an evaluation of your Thermal Efficiency needs check out our Assessments page.