Insulation
Communities in Northumberland National Park suffer disproportionally from fuel poverty compared to the rest of the North East region. This is a combination of a number of factors including exposure to colder weather than urban and lower altitude areas; lack of affordable energy supply (e.g. natural gas in towns); lower wages than those who can commute to the city region; and low quality often private sector rented properties.
Grass roof on The Hytte
A key aspect of adapting to climate change is keeping the heat in our buildings. Insulation reduces unwanted heat loss or gain and can decrease the energy demands of heating and cooling systems. Principal areas to address would include loft and wall insulation, double or triple glazing and draft exclusion measures.
How much insulation a house should have depends on building design, climate, energy costs, budget, and personal preference. Regional climates make for different requirements. Building codes specify only the bare minimum; insulating beyond what code requires is often recommended. The insulation strategy of a building needs to be based on a careful consideration of the mode of energy transfer and the direction and intensity in which it moves. This may alter throughout the day and from season to season. It is important to choose an appropriate design, the correct combination of materials and building techniques to suit the particular situation.
Northumberland National Park has supported six Thermafleece insulation projects, and one double-glazing project, since 2002. Wool is a natural fibre from a fully renewable resource; consequently the life cycle of the product has an ideal energy balance. Thermafleece is manufactured to a density of 25kg/m3 giving a K-value of 0.039 W/mK. Because of its ability to rapidly absorb and release water vapour, Thermafleece wool insulation helps to keep buildings cool in summer and warm in winter. It is also naturally breathable, controls condensation, and is energy efficient, durable and recyclable in future years.
Most of the existing buildings in the region, especially those constructed before the 1970s, suffer from huge heat loss. Insulation compliments renewable energy technology. Although sheep’s wool is often the most preferable option, it is more expensive than traditional forms of insulation. This is where intervention is required, to help bridge the gap between the sustainable option, and the conventional option. Properly insulating the buildings of the National Park is a sensible course of action to take. This includes community facilities, businesses, and farms.
Installing high efficiency or renewable energy based heating systems will be of little value if the precious heat leaves the building almost as soon as it arrives. The design standards and building fabric of our homes differ dramatically from those of our continental neighbours, especially Scandinavia, where building insulation standards are much higher. Before any form of renewable heating is contemplated, it is essential that the building be insulated to the highest level.
Insulation Brochure from the Energy Saving Trust (PDF - 2MB)
Fuel Poverty In Northumberland Map
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