Why Insulate Buildings

Why insulate buildings? 

A well-insulated building = fewer

heat

In the field of statistical thermodynamics today, heat refers to the transfer of the thermal ...

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exchanges between the warm air inside and the cold air outside. (+ Inside / Outside / Heat / Cold ) 

A well-insulated building = less energy loss 

This reduces the energy required to heat the building. And therefore, reduces its

carbon footprint

The carbon footprint (also known as greenhouse gas inventory) of a good or service measures t...

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. 
 

Which parts of a building should be insulated first? 

For an old home without insulation, heat loss breaks down as follows*: 
* As estimated by French environmental agency ADEME 

• 25%-30% via the roof
• 20%-25% via the walls
• 20%-25% via ventilation points and channels (chimneys)
• 10%-15% via the windows
• 7%-10% via the floor

The roof and walls should therefore be insulated first. 
 

How exactly are buildings insulated? 

• Internal insulation: Increasing the building’s thermal resistance by adding insulation on the inside. 
• External insulation: Wrapping a layer of insulation on the outside of sections of the building.
   

What materials are used to insulate buildings? 

• Glass wool and stone wool: Cost-effective but high

  environmental impact

  Any change to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially resulting f...

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  in the production phase. 
• Plastics like

  polystyrene

  Polystyrene is a plastic with a wide range of uses, the most common being expanded polystyren...

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  and polyurethane: Cost-effective but high environmental impact in the production phase. 
• More natural insulation materials like cork and vegetable wools: Lower environmental impact but more costly and more flammable. 

Summary: 

• A well-insulated building = fewer heat exchanges and less energy loss. = reduction in energy use and carbon footprint. 
• The roof and walls should be insulated first. 
• Two types of insulation: internal and external. 
• Materials used: glass wool, stone wool, plastics, vegetable wools and cork.