Foil insulation is known as an extremely effective way to keep your home warm and to cut energy costs at the same time. In previous articles, we’ve talked about the places in your home where you can use insulation and we’ve also given you some tips on how to easily install it.

This article is going to focus on the science behind it. We do hope that it is going to be an interesting read for those of you who are passionate about this type of information.

Heat energy transfer

There are three ways that facilitate heat energy transfer: conduction, convection, and radiation. While the process of conduction and convection relies on direct contact between matter, in case of radiation, there are only electromagnetic waves involved.

Let’s find out more about each one.

1. Conduction

When it comes to conduction, the heat energy transfer is going to happen from the hot object to the cold object. Metals are what we would call good conductors. They transfer heat faster and more efficiently, whereas most non-metal objects and gas are poor conductors, which means they make for good insulators.

2. Convection

The atoms in liquids and gases move more freely than in solids. Convection happens when the atoms that have more heat energy replace their counterparts that are less hot. The principle remains the same: the heat energy is transferred to places that are colder.

3. Radiation

Thermal radiation or infrared radiation is emitted by a hot object. The hotter the object, the higher the radiation. As a general rule, black and dull surfaces are best at absorbing thermal radiation, while shiny surfaces will reflect it.

The main difference between radiation and the first two is that thermal radiation involves waves and it does not need the direct contact with matter in order to propagate. So it can occur even in the vacuum of space.

How heat escapes from a house

Your house will lose heat through the roof, windows, walls and floor, which are places where everyone can use foil insulation.

Heat energy is transferred from houses by conduction and convection through all of the places through which a home will lose heat. For example, if a lot of cold air enters through the windows or your roof, then the heat energy will be transferred to those places.

Here’s how your home loses heat:

• Your house is built on rock or cold soil, so the heat will naturally flow down due to conduction.

• If there is direct contact with the air outside, even through a very small crack, then an airflow will form. As a result, the house will lose or gain heat this way due to convection.

• The heat will also travel through your walls and roof by conduction. Also, in the summer, the outside walls and the roof will be hotter than the air that’s around them. Therefore, it will lead to convection.

• Every house radiates heat at all times into the atmosphere, and so it loses heat this way as well.

Foil insulation and other ways you can reduce heat loss

Some easy and basic ways that will help you reduce heat loss for your home are carpets for your floor, curtains for your windows, and draught excluders for your doors. While they will not reduce the heat loss significantly, these solutions can definitely help and are cheap, easy fixes.

The best and the most efficient solution against heat loss for your home remains foil insulation. We can provide you with top quality insulation at reasonable prices. If you want to receive our free sample pack, you can contact us here.