Why are we undertaking heat loss surveys?
The first step toward retrofitting a ground source heat pump is to determine how much heat a property currently uses. Our calculations will help us determine the size and number of boreholes needed for the installation, the size of radiators and the size of heat pump.
A heat pump must be sized correctly for the building in order to function efficiently. Incorrectly sized heat pumps can lead to higher heating bills and a cold home. Traditional boilers are often installed without precise design, relying instead on very high temperature heat delivery and with little concern for efficiency. Renewable heating is more refined in order to carefully manage the running cost and deliver the best outcome.
In addition to examining heat loss, these surveys will allow us to determine:
- Comparative fuel costs
- Radiator size when upgrading
- The peak heat demand for a property
- Dimensions (room sizes)
- Age
- Type (detached, terraced etc.)
- Material (solid wall, cavity wall etc.)
- Level of insulation
Causes of Heat Loss
Older buildings are generally more susceptible to heat loss. Various factors can contribute to this, including inadequate insulation, thermal bridging (this is when heat can travel through building materials such as aluminum window frames), single glazing, and drafts.
Depending on the type of building, the amount of heat loss varies; terraced houses lose heat more through the roof and floor than through the walls, whereas flats lose most of their heat through the outside walls.
The following figures show how much heat is lost by poorly insulated houses:
- Up to 25% through the roof
- Up to 35% through outside walls
- Up to 25% through doors and windows
- Up to 15% through ground floors
(Ref. www.ired.co.uk)
It is possible to reduce heat loss in existing buildings in several ways, including:
- Draught-proofing
- Roof insulation
- Double-glazing
- Floor insulation
- Solid wall insulation