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There are many ways heat can be lost in buildings. How many of these do you think apply to your school? |
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Pitched and flat roofs
As
warm air rises, it will be lost through the roof if this is
uninsulated. About 25% of heat can be lost in this way. Laying mineral
wool or fibre glass between the joists will reduce heat loss. Flat
roofs are most costly to insulate so it is best to do this when the
school is repairing the roof anyway. |
Large window areas
Heat
travels quickly through single panes of glass. If your school has large
areas of window that are single glazed, these will contribute greatly
to heat loss. Secondary glazing will reduce heat loss through the
window areas. Metal framed windows will lose more heat through the
frame than wooden framed windows because metal is a poor insulator. |
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Draughts around doors and windows
About
15% of heat in a building can be lost though draughts around doors and
windows. Installing a draught lobby or fitting well-maintained draught
proofing around the doors and windows will reduce heat loss in this way. |
Heat loss through an uninsulated wall
If
your school was built after the 1930s, it will probably have cavity
walls; an air gap between the inner and outer walls. About 35% of heat
is lost through an uninsulated wall. Insulating a cavity wall is
relatively easy and involves injecting insulation material such as
polystyrene beads or mineral fibre between the walls.
If your school is old and built before 1900, it will probably have
solid walls. Solid walls can be insulated externally but this can be
costly and is best done when work is being carried out on the walls
anyway. |
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