Key Learning outcomes
- The importance of understanding the characteristics of different insulations.
- Why thermal comfort should be the priority.
- Thermal conductivity, thermal resistance, and how they relate.
- How U-values are calculated.
- The importance of U-values being calculated competently.
- Why condensation occurs and the importance of ventilation.
Introduction
Research into the performance gap has highlighted that improving knowledge is a key part of tackling why ‘as built’ performance does not match ‘as designed’. And when it comes to insulation, U-value calculations and condensation risk, there can be many misconceptions.
You might think an insulation manufacturer talking about thermal performance is going to be nothing but hot air; an excuse to say, ‘look how good our products are’. Well, we’re happy to admit that this CPD is hot air – but not for the reasons you might think.
Specifically, it’s hot air that everyone pays for: from the fuel into properties, to the boiler burning the fuel, to the building fabric keeping the hot air inside. Insulation manufacturers can’t do much about fuel prices and boiler efficiency, but their products have the biggest role to play in achieving better performance from building fabric.
This article aims to raise levels of confidence and understanding. Demystifying issues around building fabric is important for everybody, whatever their role, because the principles are fundamental. By understanding how insulation works and what factors affect the calculation of U-values, we can make a step forward in seeing buildings perform in reality as they do on paper.