Insulation

Improve Work Conditions

Insulating buildings is the most financially attractive of all energy efficiency and renewable energy measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Insulated factories reduce the need for additional power generation capacity by “smoothing out” the peaks in energy demand. Factories are often poorly insulated, resulting in extreme working conditions of excessive heat in summer and freezing temperatures in winter.

Both heating & cooling require vast amounts of energy to maintain a consistent ambient temperature all year round.  Factory insulation includes; ceiling, wall and floor applications, plus insulation to equipment. Insulation effectiveness is rated by its R- value which is a measure of thermal resistance within a building. The greater the R-value, the better performance from the product in retaining heat in winter and expelling heat in summer.

A well-insulated factory can go a long way in improving the thermal comfort for its workers by regulating heat loss or gain more efficiently. The majority of heat loss takes place through the roof. A well-insulated factory reduces reliance on the use of artificial heating and cooling systems, making the working environment healthier, cheaper and more eco-friendly. There are various products available, some of which offer additional sound and fire insulation. Insulating your factory is a great way of reducing the burden of future increases in energy costs.

There are various insulation products and applications available to suit the type and design of the roof and walls of your factory building. There are four main forms of insulation:

1. Pre-cut Batts or Insulation Blankets:  there is a wide range available which are typically supplied in roll form and then cut to size.
2. Lose Fill Insulation: this is pumped or spread over the roof area to take the form of roof cavities or spaces.
3. Rigid Insulation: is supplied in pre-cut boards which are placed next to one another over the roof area.
4. Reflective Foil Insulation: has an aluminium surface which reflects and retards heat transmission. This system is more effective in summer than winter.

What You Need To Know:

Insulation requirements depends on the factory design, solar orientation, climate & budget. Its best to make use of a competent person to advise on the right type of insulation required

Ceiling insulation alone can decrease annual energy costs for heating & cooling by up to 1/3

Insulation improves productivity by creating a more comfortable working environment

Insulation reduces energy use, which in turn reduces the burning of fossil fuels to produce energy. The result is lower greenhouse gas emissions

Insulation improves property values and has been shown to increase the return on rented and leased factories

The right insulation is a once-only upfront cost that lasts for the lifespan of the building (typically 50 – 70 years) and should require no further maintenance

Ideal R-values will differ from one climatic region to the next

Insulation increases the load bearing to existing factory ceilings. Care must be taken to ensure the existing structure can accommodate the added weight

The payback period is approximately 4 years, depending on what type of insulation is installed

Ensure that your chosen insulation material does not attract rodents and pests

Make sure that your chosen insulation does not deteriorate or degenerate when it comes into contact with moisture and poses no health risks

Insulation reduces the risk of condensation, where warm, moist air from exhaust fans rises and meets a cold surface

Critical to maximum performance of products is the quality of installation. Suppliers of thermal insulation products generally prefer that their own qualified fitters do the installation to ensure correct procedure and product guarantee. There must be no gaps!