How to calculate the heat loss of a building

Due to the rising cost of fuel for boilers, many private homeowners have begun to think about reducing heat loss. There can be several reasons for heat loss. Some of them can be completely eliminated, while others can be significantly minimized.

The main causes of heat loss in the house

There are several reasons for heat loss in a room:

1. Through the walls. Thus, up to 30-40% of heat can escape from the house. And if the house has construction, structural or other defects, this number can be even higher.
2. Because of the foundation.
3. Due to poor quality wall insulation. Even if there is thermal insulation, it may not work efficiently. This may be due to the use of low-quality materials, violation of installation technology or joint sealing.
4. Due to poor roof insulation. Roof insulation is an important aspect of building a house. If you choose an insufficient thickness of the insulation layer, lay it incorrectly, or seal the joints loosely, heat can escape outside.
5. Due to inefficient operation of radiators. Sometimes radiators are installed incorrectly, resulting in them heating the outer surface of the wall, which increases heat loss through the walls.
6. Due to the use of low-quality double-glazed windows.

Heat loss through windows

Windows consist of several parts: frame, double-glazed windows, fittings, and an impost. Most of the construction is occupied by a double-glazed window, and it is this window that most often causes heat loss. On average, the indicators are up to 10% of heat leakage from the room.

How to reduce heat loss through windows? To reduce thermal conductivity:

• fill them with inert gas;
• use special energy-saving technologies;
• complicate the design by increasing the number of cameras.

To avoid heat loss through windows, it is necessary to choose high-quality and reliable window constructions from trusted manufacturers.

Heat loss through walls

Most heat loss through walls occurs at concrete lintels, building corners, and structural joints. Insulation helps to solve the problem. Most often, it is carried out outside the building. This way, you can not only save free space inside the building, but also shift the dew point.

If the thermal insulation is done correctly, even at -25 degrees and no heating inside, the temperature in the room will drop by no more than 1 degree.

Heat loss through the floor

Heat loss through the floor and foundation is about 10%. If the house has a basement, this figure can be even higher. To prevent heat from leaving the room through the floor, it is necessary:

1. Use special protection (damper tape) around the perimeter of the building.
2. When constructing a warm floor, the distance between the outer wall and the heating circuit should be more than 10 cm.
3. Do not use expanded clay and plasticizers when making the screed. They increase the heat transfer of the room.

Heat loss through the roof

Heat loss through the ceiling can reach 15%. The main reasons may be:

• damage to the integrity of the roof;
• lack of vapor barrier;
• Improper installation of the insulation or its damage;
• deformation of the roof as a result of building shrinkage;
• the use of steel elements at the boundary between cold and heat.

To avoid heat loss through the roof, it is necessary to:

1. Use mineral or stone wool for insulation. In this case, it is necessary that the board has a layer of aluminum foil on the inside.
2. As early as the design stage of the building, care should be taken to reduce the number of external walls and corner rooms. Numerous protruding elements can also form a kind of cold bridge.

To avoid high heat losses in a private house and save on heating, it is necessary to properly insulate it. When constructing an insulating layer that will keep the house warm, it is important to choose only high-quality, durable and environmentally friendly materials.