Due to rising energy prices and increased government bonuses, carrying out energy upgrades is now a top concern for many homeowners. But where to start ? We explain the work to prioritize in your home:
1 – Roof insulation
According to the most recent study conducted by the Ministry of Ecological Transition (2020), almost five million homes are considered extremely energy-intensive (energy labels F and G), i.e. around 17% of French homes. The renovation of thermal housing has become a major issue for both economic and environmental reasons, because the price of energy has an impact on the increase in household expenses.
To carry out the project, it is important to understand what causes the greatest energy loss inside the dwellings. It is not surprising that it is the highest of all roofs and is responsible for around 30% of heat loss, according to ADEME! It’s the first project to be carried out because of its significant impact on your energy efficiency and therefore your energy savings. Energy renovation work is expensive, particularly because of the surfaces to be covered…
The range is between 20 and 60 EUR per square meter for lost (i.e. not used) attics depending on the type of material used for insulation. Glass wool is the cheapest material for attic insulation, while polyurethane is usually the most expensive (regarding 70 EUR/m2 per square meter). It is also important to remember that the cost of insulating finished attics will be higher, mainly due to aesthetic finishes.
2- Wall insulation
You should know that approximately 25% of the energy “leaks out” by the walls according to Ademe !
To improve comfort, and ultimately earn money, owners of older homes are undertaking energy efficiency work to reduce these losses so that residents are more comfortable while reducing the amount of bills.
The first expense to consider before making further interior improvements is to change the heating system. But, whether the heating system produces more heat or consumes less energy, the problem remains the same. Solving the root cause of the problem requires isolation. And among the most effective and durable options is built-in wall insulation.
Adding insulation to your walls has many benefits:
- It improves the thermal comfort and saves energy
- It ensures a effective sound insulation.
Interior insulation is the most commonly used wall covering. There are two possibilities:
- THE counter-bulkheads or bulkheads ;
- The dubbing is glued. This method is particularly suitable for load-bearing walls.
Before starting any project, it is crucial to carry out theenergy analysis in order to identify the building’s real thermal insulation needs. This assessment will allow you to determine if the coating is adequate or if additional renovations are necessary.
3- Insulation of doors and windows
Insufficient insulation of windows and doors is a major problem in winter. If cold breezes enter your home during the colder months, it can cause real energy loss. There are many affordable pieces of equipment that can help increase your home’s insulation without having to spend a lot of money:
- stoppers
- Adhesive door sill
- insulating foam
Bonus: Insulation behind the radiator
To reduce heat loss, an insulating screen can be installed behind the radiator. This is usually a glass or foam insulation board accompanied by an aluminum vapor barrier that acts as a reflective material that reflects heat back into the space.
These insulators come in standard sizes for radiators, but they can be cut to any size you want (kitchen knife and scissors). If you intend to cover your radiators behind screens, you need to ensure that there is sufficient ventilation, whilst ensuring that heat is not trapped in the cabinet due to lack of circulation.
