ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Domestic Green Deal Advice 6. Building Fabric - Advice

1. ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Domestic Green Deal Advice6. Building Fabric - Advice Presented by [Name] Insulation Materials Loft Insulation Insulation at Rafters Flat Roof Insulation Cavity Wall Insulation Solid Wall Insulation Draught-Proofing Energy-Efficient Windows & Doors

2. The Measures

3. Insulation Materials

4. Insulation Materials Insulation is often the cheapest and most affective solution to heat loss in the home. Insulating the building envelope will allow the reduction in the U-values for the specific building elements: • Roof • Walls • Floor The energy bills and burden on the occupier will be reduced by not having to continually renew the heat inside the dwelling, making insulation an effective way to save energy.

5. Types of Insulation Material There are different types of insulation available to insulate the home. Common types of insulation are: • Air-based • Foam • Foil • Aerogel/ Nano gel • Recycled cellulose • Thermal linings

6. Air-Based Insulation Air-based insulation works primarily by trapping air. Mineral wool is the most commonly used insulation of this type: e.g. rock wool, stone wool, glass wool, glass fibre However there is also a range of natural materials that work in the same way: e.g. sheep’s wool, hemp, cellulose All are available as quilt, batts or blown fibre.

7. Air-Based Insulation Air-based insulation products are available in rolls of different widths and thicknesses for quick and simple DIY installation - for example, between the: • Rafters in a roof; or • Joists in a ceiling or floor. It can also be produced as lightweight 'slabs' for installing into the cavity walls when building new houses. Loose mineral wool can also be used to fill cavity walls, and is blown in through a hole drilled in the wall after it is built.

8. Cellulose Cellulose is perhaps the best example of recycled material use in insulation. Most cellulose insulation is approximately 80% post-consumer recycled newspaper by weight; the rest is comprised of fire retardant chemicals and, in some products, acrylic binders. The biggest long-term performance concern with cellulose insulation is possible loss of fire-retardant chemicals. Because borates are water-soluble, they can leach out if the insulation gets wet. Damp spray cellulose

9. Foamed Insulation The alternative to air-based insulation materials is foamed insulation. Foamed insulation can perform significantly better than air based insulation, but generally has a higher capital cost. High performance insulation boards There are four common types: Polystyrene expanded/extruded Polyurethane Phenolic insulation Polyisocyanurate Phenolic insulation

10. Foamed Insulation Expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) is usually white. Some new innovative EPS products are grey due to the inclusion of graphite, which substantially increases the insulation performance. EPS is safe, non-toxic and inert. The most important properties of EPS are: Excellent thermal performance & high compressive strength Outstanding impact absorption Low weight Imperviousness to moisture 100% recyclable Commonly used as insulation to floors, walls and roofs. Also used in bead form for loose fill applications.

11. Foamed Insulation All 4 foam insulation materials are available as rigid foam sheets or as a spray-on product. Benefits: Foam insulation provides a number of benefits over other types of insulating materials. It has a relatively high R-value per inch, and can insulate effectively in small spaces. It is also easy to cut and install, and does not produce itchy fibres like those in fiberglass batting. Foam also tends to hold its shape over time, so fewer gaps form where air can leak through. Drawbacks: It is one of the most expensive insulating materials, especially when compared to fiberglass. It is not fire- resistant, and must be covered by drywall to reduce fire risk.

12. Foamed Insulation Rigid Foam - Uses • Existing solid wall • New build cavities • Ceilings or on top of roof sheathing • Pitched roofs. • Footers and foundations (used to keep cold air from reaching the basement or floor slab) Spray Foam – Uses • Loft insulation • Existing wall cavities (the foam quickly expands to fill the entire space)

13. Spray Foam Insulation Polyurethane insulation is also available as ‘spray foam’. This is most commonly encountered as insulation for hot water cylinders but may also be used to insulate walls or roofs.

14. Multi-Foil Insulation Multiple low emissivity surfaces separated by foam. To be effective, the outer layers must face an unventilated cavity. Performance achieved is controversial –generally recommended to be used with conventional insulation. Local Authority Building Control guidance indicates that a maximum resistance of 1.7 m2K/W should be used in U-value calculations for this. Multi foil insulation

15. Thermal Linings Thermal Linings are a thin material specifically developed for energy conservation up to 10mm. It is a remarkable material which, when applied inside the property on external walls, reduces heat loss resulting in warmer rooms. Thermal Linings: Can be used in all residential properties -flats, houses, bungalows and mobile homes Can be applied inside the property on external walls and ceilings Provides a warm surface to combat condensation Provides sound insulation as well as outstanding thermal properties Aerogel

16. Insulation Materials This table shows the thickness of each material that is required in order for them to achieve the same U value of 0.2W/m2 . Illustration courtesy of the Architects Journal

17. Loft Insulation - Advice

18. Loft Insulation Heat rises, and in an un-insulated home a quarter of heat is lost through the roof. Insulating the loft, attic or flat roof is a simple and effective way to save waste and reduce heating bills. Loft insulation is effective for at least 42 years, and it will pay for itself over and over again in that time.

19. Installation Installer Requirements/DIY Practicalities Loft insulation is a excellent EEM if it can be effectively installed, but there are several issues to be considered, if the installer is to maximise the benefits of the installation for the customer. These include: • Loft access • Loft condition • Infestation • Avoiding fire hazards • What is in the loft • Using the loft as storage after the installation

20. Installer Requirements: Loft Access Hatch size On the rare occasions where the loft hatch is not big enough to get the insulation into the loft, a new loft hatch can be created at an additional cost by a professional installer. Hatch in a dangerous location There will be times when the loft hatch is in a place that is unsafe for the GDA to access; this may not be the same for the installer who will have specialist equipment and appropriate safety equipment to be able to complete the job on most occasions. The GDI must also comply with relevant heath and safety legislations, e.g. • The Work at Height Regulations 2005 (as amended) • Safe use of ladders and stepladders - An employers’ guide The DIYermust be competent to undertake the job and be aware of all of the potential risks involved.

21. Installer Requirements: Condensation Condensation accumulates when humid air makes its way into the loft and condenses on the underside of a cold roof. The problem can be so bad that in many cases, it is assumed that a leaking roof has caused the problem. Condensation can saturate roof timbers, give rise to mould and fungus growth, and compromise the roof structure, and – in extreme cases– soak into loft insulation reducing its effectiveness and causing water stains on the underside of the ceiling. Condensation

22. Installer Requirements: Ventilation A ventilation path of at least 25mm in width is required between the insulation and the underside of the sarking. Holes and gaps in the ceiling should be sealed to restrict the amount of moist air entering the roof space. For roofs over 35o pitch, or over 10m span, ridge ventilation is required equivalent to a continuous 5mm gap. The traditional ‘cold roof’ or ‘loft’, found in the vast majority of existing buildings, handles moist air from inside the building by allowing it to diffuse through the ceiling into the roof void from where it is removed through cross ventilation.

23. Installer Requirements: Condensation The latest Building Regulations summarises best building practice as "build tight, ventilate right". This refers to ensuring that all openings to the outside of the building are closed up to ensure heat conservation, whilst providing ventilation is present at points of moisture production, such as bathrooms kitchens and lofts Insulation stops heat escaping from living spaces, making the loft colder - which could make existing damp or condensation problems worse. You should seek professional advice before installing insulation, to find the best solution to the damp problems first.

24. Ventilation: Common Issues Common ventilation issues that the installer should consider include: Blocking of existing ventilation due to insulation being pushed into the eaves, preventing air flow. Inadequate ventilation due to under-ventilation after insulation is topped up/installed. Loft storage blocking the flow of air to parts of the loft, preventing air circulation.

25. Installer Requirements: Infestation Scurrying and scraping noises from the attic are also a strong indication that rodents or other wildlife have taken up residence in the roof space. The first step is to inspect the attic and look for visible signs of habitation, the most common of which are droppings. The most common infestations are: • Mouse/Rat • Squirrel • Bird • Insect • Bat All these infestations will have to be resolved before an installation takes place; a specialist pest control company would be best placed to deal with the issues.

26. Infestation: Bats Bats are protected as an endangered species in this country, and it is an offence to try to kill or remove bats or to change or block their roosts. Even if bats have left the attic, it is still an offence to block the roost: bats return to the same place every year and so even empty bat roosts are protected. If a homeowner is aware that bats are in their attic, they should consult with the Bat Conservation Trust before carrying out insulation, remedial timber treatments, insect control or rodent control that may cause harm to bats.

27. Infestation: Bees Protected Species are as designated by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and in the case of insects by Schedule 5 of the Act. Neither honey bees, bumble bees or any other species of bee is included as a protected species or offered any protection as a protected species.

28. What’s in the Loft? In many lofts there are obstacles which will need addressing before an effective installation can take place, such as: • Storage • Boarding • Water tank • Pipes • Cables • Spot lights

29. Storage/Boarding Compressing insulation after it has been fitted will degrade its thermal efficiency, by up to 50% and increase payback times, as a large part of its insulant value comes from the air trapped within the fibres. However, it is possible to arrange for joists to be extended and floor boarding to be fixed to help maintain the storage area. If you already have a boarded area of no more than a third of the loft area the installers will work around it and leave it uncovered.

30. Pipes/Tank Any company who carries out loft insulation is responsible for insulating any tanks and pipework that are in the roof space to ensure they do not freeze during the winter.

31. Cables A cable that feeds a shower unit is usually a 30amp. The installers will identify this and make sure this cable is not covered by the insulation, by either laying the cable on top if there is enough flex, or leaving a gap in the insulation around the cable to ensure it does not overheat. Other cables in the loft tend to be lighting cables, which are less affected by the insulation derating them.

32. Recessed Lights The installers will cut the insulation away from recessed lights, leaving a gap of approximately 2” around the lights to prevent overheating. Alternatively, An Intumescent Downlight Cover can be fitted.

33. Existing Loft Insulation Existing insulation can be left in the loft and an additional layer added to it to bring it up to the required minimum thickness. It does not matter how long the existing insulation has been in the loft; it still retains its insulant value, providing it has not been compromised.

34. Loft Insulation: Cost Rockwool vs. Sprayfoam for lofts

35. Loft Insulation: Summary There are four basic types of insulation used in insulating lofts: • Air based • Loose fill • Blown insulation • Ridged board Air Based will be used for the default calculation in the Occupancy Assessment

36. Insulation at Rafters - Advice

37. Insulation to Sloping Ceilings Where there are rooms in the roof, insulation can be added to the sloping ceiling areas either: • Between the rafters; and/or • Above or below the rafters. The best option depends on what other work is required to the roof (if any).

38. Insulation to Sloping Ceilings Insulation between the rafters is the most straightforward to install, and avoids any loss of room height. Ventilation space limits insulation thickness – air gap must be at least 50mm (Diagram shows a section through the sloping ceiling looking up or down the slope)

39. Insulation to Sloping Ceilings Breathable sarking membrane Ventilation space can be reduced but not eliminated if a breathable membrane is present. Alternatively, an additional set of battens can be fitted along the top of the rafters so that the insulation thickness can equal the rafter depth. (The diagram shows a section through the sloping ceiling looking up or down the slope.)

40. Insulation to Sloping Ceilings Due to: • The need to maintain the ventilation space • The cold bridging effect of the rafters; and • The fact that the rafters are rarely more than 100mm deep It is usually necessary to add an additional layer of insulation above or below the rafters to achieve a reasonable target U-value.

41. Insulation to Sloping Ceilings Sarking Insulation If insulation is added above the rafters, it is sometimes known as ‘sarking insulation’. (Diagram shows a section through the sloping ceiling looking up or down the slope.)

42. Room in Roof Issues If a ‘Room in Roof’ (RIR) is not heated from the fixed heating, the DEA software will assume portables (which will be more expensive). Ventilation will need to be maintained in a residual area when insulation is topped up; cross flow ventilation may need to be installed. Insulation in RIR may not be appropriate even if the software has specified it, for example due to access issues. Stud walls within the RIR the stud walls will need to be insulated to the required standards 0.25w/m2k for all elements, around about 210mm with mineral wool or 100mm with foil faced foam insulation.

43. RIRs not identified in RdSAP If the RIR has been identified as being outside the RdSAP methodology, e.g. no staircase: • The software will underestimate the heating needs for the property. • The software may also make an inappropriate insulation recommendation. These issues will put finance for the unidentified RIR beyond the scope of GD funding.

44. Flat Roof Insulation - Advice

45. Flat Roof Insulation Flat roof insulation is often done when the roof covering is being replaced. Insulation may be installed above or below the existing “deck”. A “coldroof” or “cold deck” has the insulation belowthe existing “deck”. A “warm roof” or “warm deck” has the insulation above the existing “deck”. An “inverted roof” has the insulation installed above the waterproof covering.

46. Cold Roof (or Cold Deck) Alternatively insulation can be installed between the joists, although this is less effective due to the cold bridging due to the joists. A ventilated air space of at least 50mm should be retained above the insulation waterproof. Waterproof covering on roof deck Insulation between joists Plasterboard

47. Cold Roof (or Cold Deck) If the reduction in room height is not a problem, insulation can be installed below the roof joists. The air space between the joists should be cross-ventilated to avoid any risk of condensation. Waterproof covering on roof deck Joists Insulation Plasterboard

48. Warm Roof (or Warm Deck) In a warm roof, the insulation is installed above the roof deck but below the waterproof covering. This is usually considered to be the best option as it eliminates any risk of condensation but is only cost effective when the roof covering is being replaced. Waterproof covering Insulation Joists Plasterboard

49. Inverted Roof (or Inverted Warm Deck) In this case the insulation is installed above the waterproof covering, avoiding the need to disturb the existing roof structure. It may also prolong the life of the waterproof covering. However, rainwater penetration may reduce the thermal performance of the insulation. Gravel or other ballast Insulation Waterproof covering Joists Plasterboard

50. Insulation to Flat Roofs Installing flat roof insulation could save you around £180 and 800kg of carbon dioxide a year If half your roof area is flat - the savings will vary depending on how much of the property has a flat roof.