09 / 07 / 2018
- ISOVER Pro Blog
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- SpecHub Blog
We are not used to excessive heat conditions for prolonged periods in Ireland. In fact, the last time Ireland experienced a heat wave with regards to the temperature and length of prolonged heat was more than 40 years ago!
However, Ireland has experienced more and more hot weather during the summer months in the last 5 years, so learning to deal with heat in summer as well as cold conditions in winter may become more and more important.
When hot weather arrives in our country, the first thoughts of many may be to head for a swimming pool, beach or other source of relief from sunshine (as well as a source of fun!). However when this isn’t possible, its natural for people to return to their homes to find shade and cool off.
Homeowners who have prepared themselves for cold conditions, thinking of the winter and colder conditions usually experienced towards the end of the year, may be pleasantly surprised to find that their homes seem a lot cooler than other non-insulated homes. There is a very good reason why this is in fact the case.
All insulations are measured with respect to thermal conductivity characteristics and with thickness factored, their thermal resistance (essentially how quickly heat passes through the insulation). These are scientific measurement of material and product performance, which apply to keeping heat in, but also apply to keeping heat out!
Thermal conductivity is a measure of heat flow where there is temperature difference between one side of the material and the other.
What this means is that:
The thought that insulation, which is used to ensure that heat doesn’t escape the home in winter, can be used to keep heat out may sound a little counter intuitive, but this is true!
Our colleagues in ISOVER Spain are very much used to this concept, as the average temperature in Spain means they are more often concerns with higher temperatures rather than lower ones. Below you can see a demonstration of how ISOVER insulation can keep heat out. 2 tents have been erected, each with a 1m3 ice block within. One tent has ISOVER insulation lining the inside of the tent, one does not.
However, Ireland has experienced more and more hot weather during the summer months in the last 5 years, so learning to deal with heat in summer as well as cold conditions in winter may become more and more important.
When hot weather arrives in our country, the first thoughts of many may be to head for a swimming pool, beach or other source of relief from sunshine (as well as a source of fun!). However when this isn’t possible, its natural for people to return to their homes to find shade and cool off.
Homeowners who have prepared themselves for cold conditions, thinking of the winter and colder conditions usually experienced towards the end of the year, may be pleasantly surprised to find that their homes seem a lot cooler than other non-insulated homes. There is a very good reason why this is in fact the case.
All insulations are measured with respect to thermal conductivity characteristics and with thickness factored, their thermal resistance (essentially how quickly heat passes through the insulation). These are scientific measurement of material and product performance, which apply to keeping heat in, but also apply to keeping heat out!
Thermal conductivity is a measure of heat flow where there is temperature difference between one side of the material and the other.
What this means is that:
- If it is warmer inside compared to outside, an insulation material will slow the flow of heat from within the building, keeping the building warmer
- If it is warmer outside compared to inside, an insulation material will slow the flow of heat into the building, keeping the building cooler
The thought that insulation, which is used to ensure that heat doesn’t escape the home in winter, can be used to keep heat out may sound a little counter intuitive, but this is true!
Our colleagues in ISOVER Spain are very much used to this concept, as the average temperature in Spain means they are more often concerns with higher temperatures rather than lower ones. Below you can see a demonstration of how ISOVER insulation can keep heat out. 2 tents have been erected, each with a 1m3 ice block within. One tent has ISOVER insulation lining the inside of the tent, one does not.
The below graphs show that the internal temperature of the tent that has insulation (the green line on the graph) within is far lower than the tent with no insulation (the dotted line) (and much much lower than the external temperature – the red line).
If you haven’t installed ISOVER insulation in your home, now might be the time to consider it. Not only will it reduce heating bills, it will keep you cooler in the summer as well. Never let it be said that insulation isn’t cool!
If you haven’t installed ISOVER insulation in your home, now might be the time to consider it. Not only will it reduce heating bills, it will keep you cooler in the summer as well. Never let it be said that insulation isn’t cool!