Multifoil insulation is sparking some debate as to it’s effectiveness.
So here are the key points to consider:
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These are 4 heat saving options that could save you a fortune on your bills.
1. 10% of all heat lost from a house can be through windows. This can be halved by adequate draught proofing and double glazing.
2. 25% of heat can be lost through the roof of a home. This can be dramatically reduced by properly insulating the loft space.
3. 35% of heat can be lost through walls. Cavity wall insulation can cut this down to 10%.
4. Draught proofing external doors can reduce heat loss down from 15% to 9%.
Posted by Bob Bulmer on Thu 3rd January 2008 at 06:00 AM, Filed in Insulation
Usually large window gaps can be dealt with by filling with silicone rubber sealant. This works with both timber frame and metal frame windows - either externally or internally.
The process of sealing is as follows:
• Make sure the frame is thoroughly clean - use a damp cloth or such like.
• Squeeze a small amount of sealant on to the rebate of the fixed frame.
• Using a paintbrush, cover the closing edge of the window with soapy water. This acts as a release agent.
• Immediately pull the window shut to compress the sealant then open again.
• In fine weather the sealant should take around two hours to set. The beauty of this sealant is that it hardens on the surface, but retains a degree of flexibility underneath - this gives the desired seal.
When constructing your own home, you may want to give some consideration to proper sound insulation. An effective and eco friendly solution is recycled rubber Acousticel Wall Panels from Sound Service.
Integrated into party walls, the recycled rubber panels apparently reduce sound transmission by almost 90%. Well worth it, if you want guaranteed sleep at night.
Sound system say:
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Posted by Bob Bulmer on Fri 9th November 2007 at 06:00 AM, Filed in Green DIY, Insulation
Ensuring that your pipes and cold water cistern remain ice free, can save you an awful lot of money and hassle.
Here are some points to bear in mind when a cold snap comes calling:
1. Make sure all your taps are not dripping. The constant drip of water can end up freezing within a waste pipe.
2. Try to ensure that your cistern does not overflow. Water making it’s way through overflow pipes can freeze resulting in your cistern flooding into the roof void.
3. Open up the loft hatch in cold weather. This should help warm air flows from the house into the loft.
4. Common sense but - keep your central heating on for longer during cold weather.
