{"id":146908,"date":"2024-12-17T08:00:03","date_gmt":"2024-12-17T08:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/?p=146908"},"modified":"2024-12-17T13:45:41","modified_gmt":"2024-12-17T13:45:41","slug":"rethinking-airtightness-and-insulation-for-energy-efficient-homes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/energy-news\/rethinking-airtightness-and-insulation-for-energy-efficient-homes\/146908\/","title":{"rendered":"Rethinking airtightness and insulation for energy efficient homes"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>When building homes that are truly energy efficient, the conversation often gravitates towards insulation. However, there is another critical factor that can yield equally impactful\u2014if not greater\u2014results: airtightness<\/h2>\n<p>While both insulation and airtightness play vital roles in reducing heat loss, understanding their distinct functions and cost implications can guide builders, <a href=\"https:\/\/sano.co.uk\/about-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">architects<\/a>, policymakers, and homeowners towards smarter decisions in constructing greener homes.<\/p>\n<h3>Airtightness v insulation<\/h3>\n<p>Airtightness minimises uncontrolled airflow\u2014draughts and leaks\u2014through gaps and cracks in the thermal envelope of a building. Insulation, on the other hand, reduces heat conduction. While the two work hand in hand, airtightness controls heat loss due to air movement, which can often account for 20-50% of a home&#8217;s total heat loss.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond a certain point and over time, insulation yields diminishing returns and will often need to replace and adding to. Any addition will only reduce heat loss by a small amount and can be costly.<\/p>\n<p>Airtightness that is addressed during construction reducing the need for costly materials. Small, targeted improvements in airtightness combined with controlled mechanical ventilation can deliver significant reductions in heat loss and enhances heating efficiency, often at a lower cost than adding additional layers of insulation.<\/p>\n<p>Our partner, MAST Architects, highlight these dynamics (details below), underscoring the value of airtightness with MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) over additional insulation in reducing heating demands and costs.<\/p>\n<h3>Reducing energy waste and improving comfort<\/h3>\n<p>Sealing air leaks ensures heating systems work effectively, cutting energy consumption and therefore bills. For the average UK home, this simple measure can translate to substantial savings and lower environmental impact through reduced carbon emissions.<\/p>\n<p>Improved airtightness ensures consistent indoor temperatures, eliminating draughts and cold spots. It also reduces the ingress of outdoor pollutants, dust, and allergens, fostering <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/health-safety-news\/why-housing-providers-must-prioritise-healthy-homes-meet-uks-housing-targets\/144618\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">healthier indoor environments<\/a>. For tightly sealed homes, Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems enhance air quality by circulating filtered air without energy loss.<\/p>\n<h3>Practical steps for builders and homeowners<\/h3>\n<p>For developers and self-builders alike, airtightness can be improved systematically and cost-effectively by:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Identifying and sealing common leakage points, such as around windows, doors, attic hatches, and plumbing penetrations, using materials like caulking, weatherstripping, and airtight tapes.<\/li>\n<li>Conducting a technical assessment and blower door test on a single unit in developments where homes share similar designs. This approach allows the air tightening strategy to be scaled across the site.<\/li>\n<li>Encouraging DIY improvements for homeowners, providing them with both immediate energy savings and a practical entry point to sustainable living.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Case study: Mast Architects&#8217; insights<\/h3>\n<p>In a recent MAST masterclass we saw a comparison between a new built home with standard air leakage vs. a tightly sealed home, showcasing the heating demand and building cost difference:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-146910 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-16-at-15.01.12-300x155.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"680\" height=\"351\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-16-at-15.01.12-300x155.png 300w, https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-16-at-15.01.12-1024x530.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-16-at-15.01.12-768x397.png 768w, https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-16-at-15.01.12-812x420.png 812w, https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-16-at-15.01.12-696x360.png 696w, https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-16-at-15.01.12-610x316.png 610w, https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-16-at-15.01.12.png 1040w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>This data illustrates that improving airtightness alone has a greater impact on heating demand reduction than simply increasing insulation levels. For instance, reducing air permeability from 4.5 to 1 m\u00b3\/m\u00b2\/hr delivers significant efficiency gains with a build cost increase of just 2-3%. Conversely, adding insulation alone at higher U-values leads to a 20% cost increase with minimal improvement in heating demand.<\/p>\n<h3>Building a greener future<\/h3>\n<p>To meet the UK\u2019s energy efficiency and sustainability goals, we must rethink traditional construction priorities. Airtightness, when paired with appropriate ventilation systems like MVHR, can reduce energy waste, lower emissions, and enhance comfort\u2014all at a more affordable price point.<\/p>\n<p>By integrating these principles, architects, builders, and policymakers can make significant strides towards a greener future. With airtightness improvements offering clear environmental and economic advantages, it is time to prioritise this often-overlooked aspect of homebuilding.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mk-custom-module-container\">\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When building homes that are truly energy efficient, the conversation often gravitates towards insulation. However, there is another critical factor that can yield equally impactful\u2014if not greater\u2014results: airtightness.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":146915,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[307],"tags":[464,430,172727,586,803],"stakeholder_rel_tag":[172795],"contributor_rel_tag":[172964],"class_list":{"0":"post-146908","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-energy-news","8":"tag-contributor-profile","9":"tag-energy-efficiency","10":"tag-featured","11":"tag-insulation","12":"tag-ventilation","13":"stakeholder_rel_tag-sano-development-limited"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.9 (Yoast SEO v26.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Rethinking airtightness and insulation for energy efficient homes | Planning, Building &amp; Construction Today<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"When building homes that are truly energy efficient, the conversation often gravitates towards insulation. 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