To understand how insulation works it helps to understand heat flow, which involves three basic mechanisms — conduction, convection, and radiation. Conduction is the way heat moves through materials, such as when a spoon placed in a hot cup of coffee conducts heat through its handle to your hand. Convection is the way heat circulates through liquids and gases, and is why lighter, warmer air rises, and cooler, denser air sinks in your home. Radiant heat travels in a straight line and heats anything solid in its path that absorbs its energy.
Most common insulation materials work by slowing conductive heat flow and convective heat flow. Radiant barriers and reflective insulation systems work by reducing radiant heat gain. To be effective, the reflective surface must be in contact with an air space.
Regardless of the mechanism, heat flows from warmer to cooler areas until there is no longer a temperature difference. In your home, this means that in winter, heat flows directly from all heated living spaces to adjacent unheated roofs, garages, basements, and especially to the outdoors. Heat flow can also move indirectly through interior ceilings, walls, and floors–wherever there is a difference in temperature. During the cooling season, heat flows from the outdoors to the interior of a house.
To maintain comfort, the heat lost in the winter must be replaced by your heating system and the heat gained in the summer must be removed by your cooling system. Properly insulating your home will decrease this heat flow by providing an effective resistance to the flow of heat.
An investment in roof insulation is an investment in your comfort year-round, and it’s one of the best ways to slash your energy bills. Adding insulation keeps warm air from escaping through your roof during the winter, helping your home’s occupants to stay nice and warm while reducing the demands on your furnace. In the sweltering heat of a Sydney region, roof insulation helps keep your air-conditioned air inside, keeping the home cool and reducing your energy bills. Why suffer through the seasons when you can be comfortable and save money? Contact us today for a free, no obligation estimate for roof, walls, undefloor insulation.
Insulation can affect up to 40% of your heating and cooling costs. Roof insulation should be the primary focus when doing an insulation evaluation. Depending on where you live, the changes in the weather cause vastly different outcomes. By saving on your electricity bill each month, your insulation upgrade will pay for itself over time, and you’ll save money for years to come. Let us give you a return on your investment! With new insulation you will get cleaner air in your home.
