This document discusses sustainable insulation materials for buildings. It begins by stating the aims of introducing learners to sustainable insulation materials and explaining relevant building regulations. It then discusses how insulation was first used in the 1860s with asbestos, and how most older homes do not meet current building regulations. Finally, it identifies some sustainable insulation materials that are becoming more popular, such as sheep's wool, recycled newspaper, and wood fiber. It also discusses how existing buildings can upgrade their insulation through measures like cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, and ensuring proper insulation is installed.

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PowerPointpresentation
Sustainable insulation materials
Unit 202: Principles of building construction,
information and communication

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Aims and objectives
Aim:
• Introduce learners to sustainable insulation materials.
Objectives:
• State when insulation was introduced into houses.
• Research and identify sustainable insulation materials.
• Explain the Building Regulations that cover the insulation of buildings.
• Explain how existing buildings can be insulated to upgrade their
energy efficiency.

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Insulation
Many older homes do not comply with current Building Regulations,
which is a problem. For example, a centrally heated home built in the
1970s without insulation consumes about five times as much fuel as a
home built to today’s Building Regulations.
Research has shown that 59% of
heat loss in a house is through
the external walls (33%) and the
roof (26%).
On existing homes built prior to 1985,
cavity wall insulation may not be
installed. However, cavity wall
insulation can be inserting using a
blow method.

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When was insulation introduced?
Insulation was first used in the 1860s in the form of asbestos. This was
a deadly insulator. It has caused more than 100,000 deaths in the UK.
It has since been banned from use in the UK.

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Sustainable insulation materials
The use of sustainable materials in construction is becoming more and
more popular. There are many types of sustainable insulation materials
available on the market.
Research sustainable insulation materials for:
• the loft
• cavity walls.
Images courtesy of www.blackmountaininsulation.com

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Sustainable Insulation materials
Use the following websites to research sustainable insulation materials:
http://www.natureproinsulation.co.uk/
http://www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk/Sustainability.aspx
http://insulation.sustainablesources.com/
http://www.superhomes.org.uk/resources/whats-best-insulation-
material/
http://www.building.co.uk/data/sustainability-thermal-
insulation/3075146.article

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Sustainable insulation
The use of sustainable insulation materials is becoming more and
more popular.
The types of sustainable insulation materials are:
• sheep’s wool
• recycled newspaper and card (cellulose)
• recycled denim
• Icynene
• nanogel
• wood fibre.

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Building Regulations
Insulation is a vital part of constructing a house. Insulating a house
correctly will help reduce energy costs and reduce its impact on the
environment.
The part of the Building Regulations that covers insulation is Part L,
introduced in October 2010.
It calls for a 25% reduction in carbon emissions compared with 2006
levels. A fundamental part of the revised Regulations is the significant
improvements in U-values required within the building fabric. Typically,
meeting this level of improvement will require 45% more insulation.

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Existing buildings
Existing buildings use more energy and lose more heat than newly
built houses.
The reasons for this are:
• lack of insulation in lofts
• no cavity wall insulation
• lack of floor insulation
• incorrect insulation used
• incorrect windows installed.

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How to insulate existing buildings
You can help to reduce energy and heating costs by insulating your
house correctly. The insulation you can use is:
• cavity wall insulation – blown insulation, polystyrene bead, foam
• loft insulation – rockwool, glass wool, matting, loose fill,
insulation board.

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Any questions?

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Student to work on
Please go and work on activities:
1,2,3
And worksheet:
1