At our August Sussex West AECB meeting in Haywards Heath, Sussex West AECB members Jo Saady (ecotecture) and Debbie Mauger(ASPB) discussed – decrement delay – the time it takes for heat from the sun to pass through a building’s fabric and enter the home. The longer the decrement delay, the longer it takes for heat to penetrate indoors.
Natural insulation materials such as hemp or wood fibre and sheep’s wool perform particularly well because they can absorb, store and gradually release heat. This thermal mass gives them a much greater decrement delay than many fossil fuel-based insulation products, which have little capacity for storage of heat.
As the UK continues to experience hotter summers, understanding the performance of insulation is becoming increasingly important. Choosing natural insulation not only reduces environmental impact but can also improve comfort by helping to keep homes cooler in summer while retaining warmth in winter.
The conversation also focused on energy-efficient ways to stay cool and manage heat during the recent hot weather. Jo demonstrated two compact yet highly effective USB-powered fans that are ideal for cooling your face. Consuming just 2W of power, they provide an impressively energy-efficient way to stay comfortable without significantly increasing your electricity usage.
Our ‘Cold House – Hot tips’ Tour has been temporarily put on hold. With temperatures soaring, it didn’t seem quite right to talk about keeping your home warm while everyone is looking for Hot House – Cold Tips! to stay cool!
