Additional attic insulation is more topical than ever.

 

Our energy landscape has gone through drastic changes since 24 February 2022. The rise in the price of energy has accelerated to an unprecedented level due to the war in Ukraine. The prices of oil, electricity, and district heating are now at record highs, and due to the high price of electricity, geothermal heat is no longer as affordable as it used to be. Heating apartments is now more expensive than ever, and there is no immediate relief in sight. Security of energy supply is also a concern. Improving energy efficiency is our common cause, which should not be postponed any longer.

Heat losses burden the economy and the climate

The basis of energy efficiency in buildings is saving energy, that is, minimising heat loss. A kilowatt hour saved is one that doesn’t need to be
• produced,
• transferred, or
• used.

“Energy consumption punishes the purse and the climate”

Reducing the heat loss of the building envelope (floor, walls, doors and windows and roofs) in an existing building is usually an expensive task. Often some structures have to be dismantled and building materials replaced. This costs time and money, and the end result is not necessarily efficient in terms of return on the investment.

 

How can a resident quickly and affordably improve the energy efficiency of their house and at the same time increase living comfort?

When planning energy renovation work, it is easy to forget that the flat roof is a significant energy saving target, considering that it is usually the largest part of the building envelope in terms of surface area in a small house. The heat rises upwards, and weak thermal insulation of the attic wastes heating energy in winter’s sub-zero weather. Temperature differences between structural parts increase. This causes unpleasant air movement in the rooms, meaning a draft. When the sun is shining in summer, the temperature of the flat roof under the roof surface can be over 80 degrees. Good thermal insulation of the attic prevents the transfer of heat indoors. This passive cooling helps keep the room temperature at a comfortable level while saving cooling energy.

“The loft attic has a lot of functions –
that’s why it pays to have additional attic insulation installed”

Blown-in insulation is an easy way to install additional insulation in the attic and improve the building’s energy efficiency. Even the old heat insulation layer works better when a new, seamless heat insulation layer is installed on top of it. According to current requirements, there should be 450–500 mm of thermal insulation in the attic. A successful implementation requires that moisture functions and fire safety functions have been ensured before additional insulation is installed in the attic. That’s why I always recommend consulting a professional before the procedure.

 

Easily fix up your attic now!

Termex has now made the benefits of additional attic insulation available to the resident, and through its subsidiary, it provides the Vintit Kuntoon service, which helps in mapping the condition of the attic of detached houses and townhouses and improving their energy efficiency. The service is free of charge and provides valuable information about the condition of the attic. Based on the inspection, additional insulation work on the attic can be implemented safely and economically. At best, the return on invested capital is in double digits. You should take advantage of this offer now and start saving as soon as possible!

Get to know the Vintit Kuntoon service in more detail through this link.

 

Pasi Typpö

The writer is the development and marketing director of Termex-Eriste Oy