The house heat loss survey is an invaluable service for identifying areas responsible for high energy bills and unexplained cold areas within the building. It involves the use of a thermal imaging camera to locate areas where heat is being lost through air leaks or missing insulation – also known as draughts and air infiltration.
Steady state heat loss is calculated by dividing the indoor temperature difference between the inside and outside of the property by the thermal conductivity of the structure (‘U’ Value). The calculation takes into account the building structure, air change, external temperatures, solar gain and other variables.
Understanding the Importance of a House Heat Loss Survey
A typical survey can be completed in around 4 hours onsite and produces a detailed report. It is best carried out late at night or early in the morning to reduce solar gain and maximize the difference in temperature between the inside and outside of the building.
Before conducting the survey, the area being inspected needs to be pre-heated and prepared as per CIBSE guidance. This includes ensuring that the heating has been running on high settings throughout the night and that the differential between indoor and outdoor temperature is at least 10degC. It is also recommended that all windows and doors are kept closed to minimise thermal bridging.
A house heat loss survey can help homeowners and contractors to identify where they are losing heat in a home or building. This in turn allows the heating contractor to advise on the most effective system for that property. It can also help homeowners to understand why their heating bills are so high and suggest ways that they could improve the efficiency of their home.