Episode 6 — Insulation & Energy Saving

Insulating Homes

Learners will be able to:

• Identify the main areas of heat loss in a home, including the roof, windows, floors, doors and walls. • Explain practical measures used to insulate homes, such as curtains, draft stoppers, carpets, and ceiling or wall insulation, and relate these to reduced energy costs. • Explain why traditional or indigenous homes (using thatch, reeds, mud/clay walls, small windows, or white paint) are effective at insulating against heat gain or loss. • Explain how double glazing uses a trapped layer of air between two panes of glass to reduce heat transfer through a window. • Relate the colour and building materials of a house to its ability to reflect or absorb radiant heat energy.