Insulating your home

Question 1

How does double glazing reduce energy transfer?

Answer 1

They reduce energy transfers through conduction and convection.

Question 2

Give one way in which a radiator is designed to maximise energy transfer to the air in a room?

Answer 2

> Large surface area

Question 3

How does hot and cold air travel in a house?

Answer 3

From the heat source (the house) to the cold sink (the surroundings)

Question 4

How do home owners try to reduce the cost to heat their house?

Answer 4

By insulating them to reduce energy loss through conduction, convection and radiation

Question 5

How does a cavity wall keep the house insulated?

Answer 5

• Air is a good thermal insulator and a bad thermal conductor.
• As there is only air within the cavity wall, it can move around and transfer heat from the inner wall to the outer wall through convection.
• The wall is filled with an insulating material, which is usually something with small pockets of air.
• This makes use of air as a good insulator, but prevents loss of heat through convection as the air cannot form a convective current.

Question 6

How can you reduce energy bills?

Answer 6

By reducing the amount of energy you use.

For example, you could turn down the thermostat to 1*c.

Question 7

How can you decide whether a method to reduce energy bills is worth doing?

Answer 7

By calculating how long it will take to recover the amount of money you spend (Payback Time). The method with the shortest payback time is the most effective.

Question 8

Give 6 examples of methods to reduce energy consumption in the house?

Answer 8

>Loft insulation
>Cavity wall insulation
>Double glazing
>Solar panel for hot water
>Insulation for hot water tank
>Draught-proofing windows and doors