1. Improving thermal efficiency with modern insulation
When looking to cut energy consumption in buildings, reducing the energy used for heating and cooling must form a core element of the renovation. With up to 50 per cent of the energy consumed in buildings stemming from space heating, it is clear that reducing the amount consumed could offer significant cost savings and emissions reductions.
Using high quality stone wool insulation, it is possible to reduce the amount of energy consumed for heating and cooling building by up to 70 per cent, making it perfect for an energy renovation of existing buildings.
Great places to start:
- Roof – The roof is often the first place to look when aiming to reduce energy consumption. Hot air rises, meaning that in a cold environment, the roof is where the most heat is lost. Conversely, in hot environments where the sun shines down on the roof all day, if not properly insulated, the building will heat up rapidly.
- External walls and façades – Being the largest surface area of a building, the external walls are a prime spot to focus on when insulating for greater energy efficiency. Depending on your building, you could insulate from the outside, renewing your façade in the process, or choose to insulate from the inside, to preserve the façade of a historic building.
Roof insulation External wall insulation
2. Eliminating thermal bridging
Certain materials are more conductive than others, leading to thermal bridges where energy flows through the path of least resistance. Using continuous insulation in wall cavities and between studs will eliminate the thermal bridges, improving the overall energy efficiency of the structure.
Thermal bridges can also lead to cold spots in the interior of a wall assembly and increase the risk of condensation within enclosures. Making sure to prevent these thermal bridges requires the entire building envelope to be thoroughly insulated without disruption. This lays several requirements on the insulation materials used. Firstly, the material must be able to fit snuggly within any small space that might exist near beams, windows, or doors to make sure these are adequately closed off. Secondly, the material itself must maintain its dimensions and performance over time, so as not to leave any gaps behind after the installation.
Stone wool is an naturally robust material meaning it can withstand moisture, water, compression and even fire without losing its dimensional stability and thermal performance. It can be cut, bent or compressed to fit any shape or size without losing performance, making it easy work with.
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3. Renovating for future sustainability
Now that we’ve touched briefly on the concepts of reducing the energy consumption of a building, it’s time to also reflect on the materials used. For a renovation to truly be green, it’s important to choose materials that are sustainably sourced and to consider their carbon impact over the lifetime of the material.
Over its lifetime, stone wool insulation can save 100 times the carbon used in its production, meaning it has a net positive impact on your building’s sustainability profile. Our stone wool can contain up to 75 percent recycled content, and this includes not only recycled stone wool but also waste from other industries, meaning that the product itself contributes to a circular economy.
8 facts about the circularity of stone wool
