There are three basic types of home insulation. Your home needs to be heated and cooled, and this uses energy and energy costs money. In South Africa, that money spent on heating and cooling is often money down the drain. The money is wasted because the house or property is not insulated sufficiently or not at all. This raises the question: How much money could a well-insulated home save you? Home insulation Energy benefits are so important today. Not only in South Africa, but Globally everybody is trying to save energy.
Home Insulation Energy Benefits
The answer to that question is quite a lot. The amount you save depends on the type of property and where it is located or how it is situated, but heating and cooling in any home account for up to 70% of the energy bills. A well-insulated home in South Africa could save you as much as 50% on your energy bills and with increased attention to energy creation in the home even more. The home insulation energy benefits will be different depending on the type of home. As we know, saving energy in the house is also a benefit for climate change and global warming.
- A Leaky Home will save energy up to 35%
- A Modern Home will save energy up to 50%
- A Passive Home will save energy up to 70%
Leaky Home: Insulation Energy Benefits
Up to 35% on home insulation energy-saving benefits. A large number of homes, even houses built in the last decade are leaky homes. These properties generally have little if any insulation and have windows and doors with gaps through which warmth escapes. These same gaps allow warm summer air in and the house is generally the equivalent of an energy sieve for heating cooling purposes. Leaky home insulation benefits are great but could be better. The fact that the building legislation was not as strict in the old days makes it difficult to achieve the maximum. However, having said that a leaky home will still save 35% energy.
In leaky homes, pay little attention to conserving or self-generating any power. Old wooden windows often leak air into the home. Therefore installing double glazed windows will reduce the cold air entering the home via the windows. Hot water geysers and pipes have no insulation. The house costs more to heat and cool because the heated or cooled air escapes easily and money is therefore wasted. When a leaky home is insulated with insulation products like Isotherm insulation or Simply Green Insulation or even Think Pink Aerolite. This will make a huge difference in energy-saving as the home will be much cooler in summer and much warmer in Winter.
Homeowners can also replace old windows to double glazed windows. However, this is expensive as a retrofit. In most homes, Solar Film will make a big difference with the Roof Insulation installed.
Modern Home:
Up to 50% on home insulation energy benefits. A large percentage of homes that have insulation are modern homes. In a modern home, typically a home built in the last 3 to 5 years built-in insulation is built is provided in line with building regulations. Geysers have insulation, loft insulation is installed, and window glass is thicker. Although not yet using uPVC double-glazing, are designed to reduce draughts and save energy. Modern homes will benefit more from home insulation energy benefits.
Practical steps are taken to insulate the home begin to reduce energy bills by up to 50%. Heating and cooling costs reduce with basic insulation thanks to the lower use of appliances used more efficiently. Hot water stays hot because a geyser blanket and lagging around hot water pipes prevent heat from escaping. The investment in insulation begins to pay off rapidly.
Modern homes in South Africa must be built in accordance with the SANS compliant legislation. This legislation came into effect as of January 2013. The Home Insulation Energy Saving will increase substantially with this legislation
Passive Home:
Up to 70% on home insulation energy benefits. The growing trend for homeowners is to become a passive home. A passive home is constructed used the best insulating materials that are equally eco-friendly. A passive home has far more home insulation energy benefits.
Double Glazing on windows, temperature control, and water heating have all be addressed to improve energy savings. Installing Reflective film or replacing windows with double-glazing brings considerable energy savings fast.
A well-insulated home, solar-powered geysers use zero mains electricity bringing instant savings. The walls of the home must be insulated between the cavity space of the brickwork. Effective Roof Insulation products like Simply Green Insulation or Aerolite must be installed in the ceiling space. With every leak where warm air can escape or enter through fully sealed. A Passive home requires some investment, but the long-term savings are substantial. A passive home is also better for the environment.
Floor insulation products like Isoboard can be used before pouring the concrete floors. This is the best way to insulate passive homes at the building stage. The idea is to cover windows, wall, roof space as well as floors. Air leakage in your home is your enemy; this must be avoided at all cost.
It is always best to insulate a property at the time of construction, it is easier and those trying to reach places are accessible. However, any insulation is better than no insulation, and simple things such as using curtains or sealing windows with tape can make an impact on your energy bill.
If you want to know how much money a well-insulated home could save you speak to an expert and ask for an audit of your home. You will be amazed at how much you can save.