Insulation has played a vital part in the evolution of buildings and is increasingly important, especially as we see a rise in global energy prices.
// COMMERCIAL // INDUSTRIAL
REGULARS: QUALITY MATTERS
Understanding insulation
Insulation has played a vital part in the evolution of buildings and is increasingly important, especially as we see a rise in global energy prices.
By Knauf Insulation | Photos by Knauf Insulation
When it comes to insulation, it’ s critical to make your first choice count. If you do, your insulation should not only offer excellent thermal performance( along with energy saving, cost saving and combating climate change) but also deliver superior acoustic and fire safety properties, enhance quality of life and ultimately raise the overall performance of the building in which it is installed.
There’ s so much more to insulation than simply managing the internal environment by controlling factors such as penetrating heat, or cold gain and loss. To put some of our suggestions into sharper focus, below, we look at one particular solution, discuss the energy efficiency benefits of insulation and talk about the impact Energy Performance Certificates( EPCs) may have in South Africa.
Insulation focus: insulated masonry cavity walls
Insulated masonry cavity walls offer excellent thermal performance when the cavity is utilised as an insulation zone. The cavity wall benefits from several features that account for its popularity with designers, developers and home owners.
Benefits:
• Design flexibility to meet the energy performance requirements of clients with widely available materials;
• In a heated or cooled environment insulation reduces energy consumption and pays for itself;
• Suitability for traditional methods of construction; and
• Existing empty cavities( minimum 40mm) can be upgraded with retrofit solutions.
A new build solution, DriTherm masonry cavity wall.
The greatest proportion of heat loss from a typical house is through the roof and walls. Installing masonry cavity walls slows down the rate of heat / chilled loss( in a controlled environment) therefore providing immediate savings on fuel bills.
Insulation and energy efficiency
The energy saving properties of insulation mean buildings are kept warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The bigger the temperature difference between the inside and outside of a building, the faster the building will lose cold or heat.
Mineral wool insulation helps to maintain the inside managed temperature( from heating or air conditioning) by slowing heat / chilled transfer by convection, conduction and radiation.
At Knauf Insulation, we already have an established presence and track record of success around the world in different climate conditions by helping people to:
• Save money on their energy bills;
• Reduce general energy use and lower greenhouse gas emissions;
• Reduce the reliance on heating and cooling systems;
• Improve the overall comfort in living and working environments;
• Help prevent additional maintenance over the lifetime of a property; and
• Assist from an acoustic and additional health point of view( minimising the threat of mould and damp).
28 RESIDENTIAL
JUNE 2018