• Home
• Environment
• Climate change
• I am a resident
• Heat loss and insulation
• Thermal Study
• Roof insulation
• Wall insulation
• Draught Proofing
• Frequently Asked Questions

Please note: Translations are handled by an external website and are not endorsed by Peterborough City Council.

Heat loss and home insulation

Heat travels from hot areas to cooler areas. Therefore in cold weather when buildings are warmed up by heating systems and other 'incidental' gains such as appliances, machinery and even the people inside, the heat is continually being lost outside the environment as long as it is warmer inside than out.

How is heat lost from dwellings?

The heat loss from a dwelling can be divided into two main categories:

• Fabric heat loss - heat loss as it is transmitted through the fabric of the building.
• Ventilation heat loss - heat loss through ventilation or draughts.

See also:

Roof insulation

Wall insulation

Draught proofing

Thermal study - how much heat is YOUR house losing?

How much heat is being lost from my roof?

To find out how much heat was being lost from your roof during our thermal imaging survey, enter your postcode and click on "GO".

Types of Insulation

In order to save you money by reducing your energy and water costs whilst reducing your impact on the environment it is essential to ensure your home is adequately insulated.

Standards of insulation in new housing are considerably higher than they are in older housing. However, properties built before current standards make up by far the largest proportion of the UK housing stock. In order to improve energy efficiency, reduce heating and hot water costs and to reduce CO2 emissions the fitting of insulation into existing housing stock is essential.

The following are types of insulation:

• Hot water insulation
• Roof insulation
• Wall insulation - both cavity and solid wall
• Draught proofing
• Floor insulation
• Double and secondary glazing.

Pay back periods