1
Upgrade insulation
As Guy Manthel of Knauf
Insulation explains, when a
home is well insulated, heat is
prevented from escaping through the
walls, roof and other surfaces. “So
less energy is required to maintain
a comfortable indoor temperature,”
he says (see table, below).
Not sure whether your insulation
needs updating? Firstly, consider
that older homes may not have any
insulation at all! Secondly, look at your
energy bills. “Consistently high bills
could be a sign that your insulation
– if you have it – is no longer
performing effectively,” says Guy. “If
it is no longer doing its job, your
heating and cooling systems will
have to work harder to maintain
a comfortable indoor temperature,
which can drive up your energy bills.”
An uneven temperature is another clue
– having some rooms significantly
cooler than others can signal poorly
installed or ineffective insulation.
Updating your insulation may be an
achievable DIY job, particularly in the
ceiling (see Watch it!, next page).
“When retrofitting ceiling insulation,
it’s important to choose a product
with a suitable R-value – a measure
of insulation’s resistance to heat flow
– for the specific location, and ensure
it is installed correctly,” advises Guy.
Unless you’re doing an extensive
reno, retrofitting wall insulation can be
complex. If you have access to the
ceiling and underfloor, Guy suggests
insulating these first, using the highest
R-value possible for the ceiling to help
compensate for uninsulated areas.
TYPICAL ENERGY SAVINGS
DUE TO INSULATION*
Extent of
insulation
Heating
Cooling
Heating &
cooling
Ceiling
only
15–25%
30–45%
20-30%
Ceiling
& walls
40-50%
40-55%
40-50%
Ceiling,
walls
& floor
45-55%
35-50%
45-55%
Shades on the other
side of the colour wheel
can also help to create
a cosy atmosphere
2
Plug the draughts
No matter how effective your heating system, if your
home is riddled with draughts, you might as well be
pointing the heater outside. To find the most likely
culprits, close all windows and doors, turn off appliances that
might create a breeze, then light a candle and – very carefully! –
hold it near the window and door frames, running it up and down,
watching for a flicker in the flame.
The most common draughts can be simply fixed with a few
cheap DIY tools. Using a caulking gun and gap filler, you can
quickly fill cracks between the walls and window or door frames,
and even between timber floorboards. Adhesive weather seal
tape can be applied around window and door frames, where the
wind often whistles in. Seal the bottom of exterior doors by
installing a door sweep or utilising an old-fashioned door snake.
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