As an energy company, we naturally want to provide our customers with the best and most efficient energy solutions for their home or business, but that all starts with heat loss calculations.
A heat loss calculation session is designed and conducted to find out just how efficient or inefficient the building in question is.ย This could be for your home or business.
Only then, will we know what energy solutions to focus on.ย
What is a Heat Loss Calculation Session?
Heat Loss Calculation Factors
When conducting heat loss calculations for a house, it’s essential to consider various factors to accurately determine the heating requirements.ย
Every building is different, so naturally there are multiple factors to consider. Building location, age, build quality, ventilation and more, can all impact energy efficiency and potential heat loss and heat gains or opportunities.
Whether you’re considering solar power for your home, the installation of a heat pump, or something completely different, this is a great starting point.
Here are some important things to consider:
- Climate and Location:
- Naturally living in the UK or Ireland means a relatively mild, temperate climate (despite the rain), but there can be big variations depending on location. Belfast and Cork are approximately 300 miles apart, north to south, and as a result there can be variations, however slight. ย
- Building Envelope:
- Evaluate the insulation levels in walls, ceilings, floors, and roofs. The type and thickness of insulation are crucial factors.
- Examine the quality of doors and windows, as they can significantly impact heat loss.
- Air Infiltration:
- Assess the airtightness of the building envelope. Uncontrolled air leakage can result in significant heat loss.
- Identify areas where drafts may occur and consider measures to minimise air infiltration.
- Building Orientation and Design:
- The orientation of the building can affect solar gain and heat loss. Consider the placement of windows and the impact of sunlight throughout the day.
- Evaluate the overall design, including the shape and layout, as it can influence heat distribution.
- Internal Heat Sources:
- Account for internal heat sources, such as appliances, lighting, and occupants. These contribute to the overall heat load and can affect the heating requirements.
- Thermal Mass:
- Consider the thermal mass of the building materials. Materials with high thermal mass can help stabilise indoor temperatures by absorbing and releasing heat slowly.
- Ventilation:
- Evaluate ventilation requirements, as it affects indoor air quality. Balancing the need for fresh air with the energy required for heating is essential.
- Heating System Efficiency:
- Consider the efficiency of the existing heating system. As you might expect, a more efficient system will result in lower energy consumption and reduced heat loss.
- Occupancy Patterns:
- Understand the occupancy patterns of the house. Different usage scenarios, such as daytime occupancy or periods of high activity, can impact heating requirements. The rise of remote working patterns has impacted how and when people use their homes.
- Future Changes:
- Anticipate any future changes in the building, such as renovations or additions, and how they might impact the heat loss calculations.
- Energy Modelling Software:
- Consider using energy modelling software to perform detailed simulations and calculations. These tools can provide a more accurate assessment of heat loss.
By considering all of the above, and anything that presents itself during a property site visit, we can conduct a comprehensive heat loss calculation that takes into account the unique characteristics of the house or commercial building, and its surroundings.ย
Heat Loss Calculation Survey
If you’d like to find out more, you can book the Surge Renewables team for a Heat Loss Calculation Survey. This can be as part of a bigger project (e.g. installation of heat pump) or purely as a separate fact finding mission.