Eco Benefits

The Carbon Challenge

We need to act now to reduce our energy consumption; around 50% of carbon emissions are from the built enviroment with approximately 50% of this energy used for space heating and cooling. The climates of both Ireland and the UK do not suffer from extremes in low temperatures, but are exposed to extremes in wind pressure.

Whilst insulation is central to low energy construction, air and windtightness must also be central to an energy efficient design strategy to reduce unnecessary heat loss. Insulation levels have increased substantantially over the last few decades, but heated air is still escaping and can be pinpointed as a major source of energy loss.

Constructions which are energy efficient, airtight, durable, healthy, ecological and sustainable in every sense of the word should be designed with some form of natural insulation, the benefits of which are not only in the money we save, but in the environment in which we live, particularly as it is estimated that we spend up to 90% of our lives in buildings.

The Energy Benefits of using a more Natural Insulation

Most natural fibre insulation materials have a specific heat capacity of over 2000J/kgK, compared with only 800J/kgK for mineral wool and 1400J/kgK for plastic insulations. When the high density of most natural insulations is accounted for, this means that the thermal mass of natural insulations such as hemp, woodfibre and cellulose is much higher than that of conventional insulation materials with the same thermal resistance.

The key parameter of amplitude damping and phase deceleration are optimised with natural fibre insulation products and provides designers with a passive approach to controlling room temperature in warmer summer months.

Independent tests have showed that when natural fibrous insulation is used in habitable attic spaces the temperature on the warmest summer months can be up to 60C cooler, when compared to an equivalent construction insulated with mineral wool. In this way natural insulation creates a much more tolerable living environment even on the warmest days of the year.

It has been proven that overheating can be avoided in much warmer climates than ours without the need for air conditioning: utilising it leads to dramatic increases in the running costs not to mention and increased carbon footprint and the cost of the environment.

Airtightness and Windtightness is critical to achieving an energy efficient home

Whilst insulation is critical to an energy efficient home the only way to ensure that you gain the maximum impact from your insulation is to protect it; on the cold side for windtightness and the warm side for airtightness. The effectiveness of the insulation and the generation of a healthy living atmosphere is directly dependent on the quality and consistency of the airtight and windtight envelope protecting your home.

Airtightness and vapour diffusion through structural elements should be viewed as importantly as the insulation itself. However if high levels of airtightness are applied to structural envelopes, controlled ventilation and active moisture management to reduce potential interstitial condensation should planned into the building design.

The key is to build tight and ventilate right.

This is where the pro clima Intelligent vapour checks and airtight membranes are critical. pro clima have been providing Intelligent airghtness and windtightness solutions for over 2 decades with their products used in some of the most airtight constructions in Ireland, the UK and throughout Europe.

A building must be self sufficient in itself in terms of both thermal performance and with regard to moisture management if it is to be healthy and durable over its lifetime. As most building failures can be attributed to water, by rainwater penetration, interstitial condensation or inner surface condensation due to cold bridging for example, the area of moisture management cannot be over emphasised. Membranes like Intello Plus and DB+ which offer humidity-variable resistance, offer maximum protection against structural damage.

Full technical information can be found on our individual product pages.