Levels of insulation within a building are of key importance for both underfloor heating and heat pump systems, as the better insulated the house, the more efficient and cost-effective to run the heating will be.

In practice even a building insulated to well above the building regulation requirement will always need some level of heating; first, because there has to be some passage of air from the outside to maintain freshness and second, because insulation does not itself create warmth, it simply helps to retain it.

When underfloor heating is fitted warmth passes into the room from the floor, so it is important to prevent downward heat losses into the ground or the floor below. In a new building that meets the regulations, there will always be an adequate level of floor insulation, but if a building is being refurbished it is important to increase the levels of insulation to at least current Building Regulation standard.

All new homes are built to strict guidelines on air-tightness to help retain heat but it is important to consider this aspect when refurbishing an older home with potentially high heat losses. If you have a project that may have high losses please contact Nu-Heat for advice.

It is inevitable that the cost of energy will continue to rise and insulation measures are just one way of limiting the amount of energy needed to heat the UK’s homes.