If you’re heating a room, that heated air will tend to ‘sit’ up against the ceiling, warming the ceiling. So if your home is not insulted properly, that warmth gets transferred into the roof space and outside your house! The loss of the heat results in the cooler air ‘dropping’ in the room, so you end up with a thermal cycling of the warm air to the ceiling, until all the available warmth is lost. This is very expensive.
A similar thing happens when you try to cool a room but in reverse. During a hot day the roof space gets very hot, and given it’s a roof with no real holes in it you get a ‘stack’ of hot air sitting in your roof space heating up everything it touches; including the ceiling. So then the ceiling starts to get warm and in turn heats the air against it. Now where are most fixed air-cons in homes? Yes, right up high on the wall, so they are then trying to cool down already warmer than normal air. It’s actually worse than this, as the temperature gauge in the aircon unit is constantly measuring the temperature at its on-the-wall location and not that at floor level, so it will try to ‘over cool’ when it does not need to.
Put both of these together and you will find 40% of both your heating and cooling costs are going out of the roof!
Installing ceiling insulation is a cost-effective way to reduce energy consumption and improve the overall energy efficiency of a building. Ceiling insulation involves installing insulation material in the roof or attic space to prevent heat transfer between the interior and exterior of the building. This process can help to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature and reduce the need for heating and cooling, ultimately leading to lower energy bills and a smaller carbon footprint.
Before starting the installation process, it is important to consider a few key factors. First, you need to choose the right insulation material for your needs. The most common types of ceiling insulation include fiberglass batts, blown-in cellulose, and spray foam insulation. Each of these materials has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to do your research and consult with a professional to determine the best option for your specific situation.
Once you have chosen the right insulation material, you can begin the installation process. This typically involves laying the insulation material between the ceiling joists, using a staple gun or other tool to secure it in place. If you are using blown-in insulation, it will be blown into the ceiling cavity using a specialized machine.
It is important to ensure that the insulation is installed correctly, with no gaps or spaces that could allow air to escape. This will help to maximize the effectiveness of the insulation and prevent any thermal bridging. It is also important to consider safety during the installation process, including wearing protective gear and taking precautions to avoid disturbing any existing electrical wiring or other fixtures in the attic or roof space.
Overall, installing ceiling insulation is a smart investment that can help to reduce energy costs and improve the energy efficiency of your building. By choosing the right insulation material and working with a professional contractor to ensure proper installation, you can enjoy the benefits of a more comfortable and energy-efficient home or workplace.