If you’ve ever thought about improving your home’s energy efficiency, you’ve likely considered External Wall Insulation (EWI)—and for good reason. It’s one of the most effective solutions to reduce heat loss, lower energy bills, and create a comfortable living environment. In this article, we’ll discuss the topic of Thermal Bridging: How It Affects Your EWI. Recently, one of our clients came to us with an uninsulated solid wall property experiencing common issues: high energy costs, cold spots, and persistent moisture problems. Our task was to carefully plan and install EWI to not only improve their home’s energy efficiency but also ensure long-term comfort for their family.
One key factor that’s often overlooked during insulation projects is thermal bridges. It’s not something many people think about when considering insulation, but it’s crucial for maximising the benefits of EWI. Thermal bridges occur when gaps in insulation allow heat to escape, reducing the system’s overall effectiveness. Even small areas, such as gas meter boxes or building corners, can lead to cold spots and reduced energy savings. Addressing these thermal bridges is vital to ensuring your insulation performs optimally.
In this blog, we’ll dive into what thermal bridges are, the different types, why they should be avoided and the importance of professional installation.
Content Page
- Thermal Bridging: How It Affects Your EWI
- Types Of Thermal Bridges
- How To Identify a Thermal Bridge
- Preventing Thermal Bridging for Effective EWI
Thermal Bridging: How It Affects Your EWI
Thermal bridges, also known as cold bridges, are a common issue in older homes or those with poor insulation. Thermal bridging occurs when heat escapes through uninsulated or poorly insulated areas of your home significantly reducing the overall energy efficiency of your insulation system.
When installing EWI, it’s crucial to ensure that every part of the external surface of the property is adequately insulated. Even small gaps or weaknesses in the insulation can lead to thermal bridging. In fact, up to 30% of heat loss in poorly insulated homes can occur through these hidden pathways, making it essential to address them during the insulation process.
Thermal bridges can cause a variety of problems, including:
- Increased energy consumption: Your heating system will need to work harder to compensate for the heat loss.
- Higher energy bills: As a result of increased energy use, your bills will rise.
- Risk of mould growth: The increased condensation around thermal bridges can lead to dampness and mould, posing health risks and damaging your property.
- Reduced comfort: Rooms may feel colder or draughtier, particularly around the areas where thermal bridges occur.
Types Of Thermal Bridges
Thermal bridges can appear in various places in your home, allowing heat to escape and reducing the effectiveness of your insulation system. Here are the main types to be aware of:
Service Penetration Thermal Bridges: This type occurs when pipes, cables, and other services pass through the insulation layer. Common areas include gas or electrical meter boxes, cable entries, or plumbing. Gas meters and similar service penetrations are often overlooked during EWI installations, leading to thermal bridges.
Geometrical Thermal Bridges: These occur at areas where the building’s shape changes, like at corners, edges, and where walls meet roofs or floors.
Constructional Thermal Bridges: Some materials used in building construction, like steel or concrete, conduct heat more easily than insulation. When these materials pass through the insulation layer, such as in window lintels or beams, they create pathways for heat to escape.
Linear Thermal Bridges: These happen along straight lines in your home, like window and door frames, where insulation might be interrupted.
Point Thermal Bridges: Point thermal bridges occur at specific points where insulation is punctured, such as wall ties or fasteners used to secure insulation boards. Even small fixings can create tiny points of heat loss if not properly addressed.
How To Identify a Thermal Bridge
Thermal bridges can be identified by spotting areas where heat escapes due to gaps or weaknesses in insulation. Common methods include:
- Thermal Imaging: Infrared cameras detect heat loss by showing temperature differences, revealing areas of poor insulation.
- Visual Inspection: Look for signs of mould, dampness, or material deterioration, which may indicate cold spots.
- Condensation: Excessive condensation around windows, doors, and structural junctions often signals thermal bridges.
Preventing Thermal Bridging for Effective EWI
Preventing thermal bridging is essential for maximising the energy efficiency of your home, especially when investing in EWI, which can be a significant financial commitment. Poorly installed insulation with gaps or weak points can allow heat to escape, leading to higher energy bills, discomfort, and condensation issues. The last thing you want is to spend a considerable amount on insulation, only to continue facing these problems due to improper installation.
To ensure your EWI performs effectively, careful planning, selecting the right insulation materials, and professional installation are crucial. Even the best materials won’t deliver results if not installed properly. Areas like gas meter boxes, pipes, and building junctions require special attention as neglecting these details can compromise the entire system.
In the UK, Building Regulations stress the need to minimise thermal bridging to meet energy efficiency standards. Ensuring continuous insulation without gaps not only enhances comfort but also ensures compliance with regulations, safeguarding your investment.
With modern improvements in insulation technologies and building techniques, both older and new buildings can now eliminate thermal bridges more effectively, maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures year-round, reducing energy bills, and lowering your carbon footprint.
Experienced installers can carefully assess your property, identify potential thermal bridges, and recommend tailored solutions to ensure your insulation works at peak efficiency.
For expert advice on External Wall Insulation and how to improve your home’s energy efficiency, get in touch with our specialists today.
