Home insulation, an ally of efficient ventilation
superadmin
March 14, 2018
Airtightness. A word that defines very well the direction modern buildings are heading. Because today, new homes have greater insulation, not only due to the materials used but also due to construction methods that make it possible for cold and heat not to easily enter our living spaces. A remarkable advance to achieve greater comfort at home and better energy efficiency.
The data from the Ministry of Development is that almost two-thirds of the houses and buildings built in Spain were created without considering thermal insulation. What does this mean? Basically, the difference between needing air conditioning in summer or not, and whether or not to feel cold in winter.
Every new home must be insulated and meet certain minimum airtightness standards. This, combined with efficient ventilation, allows every building to be considered highly energy efficient. What characteristics does home insulation have?rn
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- Windows and doors must close tightly. The materials used and the joints must ensure everything is perfectly sealed and that cold or heat cannot enter. rn t
- Walls, floors, and ceilings must consist of specific materials and construction methods as outlined in the Technical Building Code. The idea is that cold or hot air from outside does not penetrate. rn t
- Thanks to this, cold and heat stay outside. However, as there is no traditional air inlet - old houses always breathed because outside air leaked in along with external inclement weather - an ventilation system is necessary. It can be a simple or double flow mechanical system, but in any case, it must provide the necessary air. rn t
- With insulation in homes, we can avoid relying on air conditioning systems, and ventilation systems do not have high energy costs like air conditioning units do, for example. rn
How do mechanical ventilation systems combine with thermal insulation? Basically, by having an integrated solution for ventilating the house, we do not need to open windows to achieve the exact airflow we need. Furthermore, the best ventilation is actually obtained without opening the windows.
Additionally, through insulation and mechanical ventilation, we obtain filtered, clean air free of street impurities. We also eliminate stale air and avoid problems like humidity or mold. These are solutions that require smart building design but result in significant savings throughout the useful life of the home. In addition to protecting the environment.rn
What to do to improve insulation at home?
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If we have an old home, without insulation or built considering protection against temperature fluctuations, we can also choose to enhance the thermal comfort without breaking the bank on the electricity bill.
Now that summer is coming, during hot days and if you don't have an appropriate ventilation system, we recommend that you only open the windows at night. During the day, although it may seem that outside air is coming in, it is actually very hot air that will only make us feel less comfortable. At night, however, the windows bring in night air that will cool the spaces.
The use of awnings, blinds, or curtains is necessary. Without thermal insulation, the only thing we can do is prevent the sun from directly heating the walls. With an awning, most of the heat stays in the fabric and the walls heat less. For the windows, we can use blinds or curtains.
It is important to remember that in summer, any heat source will negatively affect our comfort and thermal sensation. The number of people in the house, connected appliances, or the use of hot water are noticeable, and it is necessary to avoid them whenever possible.
If we consider a renovation in the home to better withstand the transition of winter and summer, before opting for more powerful air conditioning systems, it is worth investing in thermal insulation with better windows, doors, or renovations. Along with that, the use of a mechanical ventilation system would be advisable.
Siber Ventilation
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