Experts In Commercial Insulation Services.
Concerned about the level of energy bills for your business? If you want to impact on how much it costs to heat your business premises, a commercial insulation installation from Fixx could make all the difference to your energy efficiency as well as enhancing your green credentials.
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Thermal Insulation installed in various parts of a commercial building can have a very real impact on energy bills and ensure a more comfortable workplace environment.
Fixx can provide you with a free, no-obligation quote to improve the energy efficiency of your building. Read on to learn about building regulations and why commercial insulation is essential for any business these days.
Commercial Insulation
The Change In Building Regulations.
In June 2022, Part L of the UK’s building regulations were updated to include harsher restrictions and requirements for insulation in both new and existing commercial buildings. It’s a signal to businesses that standards for energy efficiency have risen, and the change to a greener, low-carbon footprint way of living is now mandatory.
Key Changes in Part L Building Regulations:
- Increased U-Value: U-values are a measure of how effectively a material can prevent heat loss. The material being used in construction must reach the values of:
| Building Element | Previous Maximum U-value (W/m²K) | New Maximum U-value (W/m²K) |
| Walls | 0.35 | 0.2 |
| Pitched Roofs (>10° slope) | 0.25 | 0.18 |
| Flat Roofs (<10° slope) | 0.2 | 0.16 |
| Windows | 2 | 1.2 |
- Focus on a Fabric First Approach – Updated regulations emphasise improving the building’s thermal insulation performance through adding insulation materials to existing structures, rather than adding new energy-generation/saving technology (such as mechanical ventilation systems).
- Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEES) – Commercial buildings require an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E or above to be let or sold.
- Carbon Emissions Targets – All commercial buildings must meet a 31% reduction in COS2 emissions.
Insulation For Businesses
What are the consequences of not meeting regulations?
For newly constructed buildings, these are required to meet the new regulations every time.
For existing buildings, the case is different. After all, renovating and meeting the strict standards for every commercial building across the UK would be a monumental undertaking that would disrupt many businesses. However, there are a few circumstances in which a commercial building will have to upgrade its thermal insulation to meet new regulations.
- Major Renovations and Extensions – Existing buildings that undergo major renovations/extensions that cover more than 25% of the surface area of a building element must use the updated regulations. Failure to commit to these new standards could lead to various penalties, but your completion certification will almost certainly be withheld.
- Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) – From April 2023, it is unlawful to continue letting commercial properties with an EPC rating of F or below. Owners can face fines from £5,000 to £150,000 for failing to comply with MEES.
Other possible consequences could be:
- Reduced Market Value – Potential buyers are prioritising energy efficient buildings in their buying patterns to take advantage of the lower energy consumption.
- Lower Rental/Sale Value – To remain competitive, you may be forced to lower the price of inefficient buildings.
Fixx's Commercial Insulation Services
Polyurethane Spray Foam Insulation
Spray foam insulation is versatile in that, true to the name, it can be sprayed and therefore can reach many areas seamlessly. When sprayed, it creates a foam that can be applied to walls, roofs, ceilings and harder-to-reach areas. The foam then expands and creates an air barrier that minimises heat transfer and air leakage. There are two main types of this insulation, both of which are a common candidate for loft insulation, should your commercial properties have one.
- Open Cell Spray Foam Insulation – This version excels at sound insulation, and it has an enhanced ability to fill gaps and cracks effectively. Not only that, but this open-cell is a cost-effective option for insulating large areas and improving air quality.
- Closed Cell Foam Insulation – This type of spray foam insulation offers superior thermal insulation to the open cell version, and is very good as resisting moisture, and offering structural integrity. This type of polyurethane spray foam insulation can save up to 50% of energy savings, compared to non-insulated
Insulation Boards
Insulation boards are rigid panels manufactured in controlled environments. Their insulation materials are polyisocyanurate (PIR) or mineral wool. Despite their high durability and rigid structure, they are lightweight and very easy to install, making them a popular choice for insulation. They can be used as roof, floor and wall insulation.
The National Insulation Association (NIA) suggests insulation in commercial buildings can lead to energy savings of up to 30%.
Loose-Fill Insulation
Loose-fill insulation, such as cellulose or mineral wool, is blown into cavities within walls, roofs and floors. It’s blown in using specialised equipment, filling irregular spaces and hard-to-reach areas. This is another candidate for loft insulation. They provide great thermal insulation, with cellulose boasting an R-value of around 3.7 per inch and mineral wool offering an R-value of around 2.2 to 3.2 per inch.
Studies by the Department of energy estimate that adding loose-fill insulation to attics can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 30%.
Cavity Wall Insulation
Cavity Wall Insulation is a method of filling the gap (the cavity) between them. This is a fairly common construction type in the UK, and installing insulation of this type is quite easy and fairly inexpensive, making it a cost-effective solution for commercial insulation.
Our options include:
- Mineral Wool – This natural and sustainable material provides thermal and acoustic insulation.
- Bead Insulation – This is a lightweight and versatile material made from polystyrene beads, considered easy to install.
- Polyurethane Foam – This insulation is high-performance and expands to fill the cavity entirely.
Energy Savings Trust outlines that cavity wall insulation can reduce heat loss by up to 60%.
Roof Insulation
Roof space insulation is crucial for preventing heat loss during the winter, as heat rises.
- Pitched roofs – We can install insulation between and over rafters. This ensures complete coverage. Proper insulation of a roof can prevent heat loss of up to 90%.
- Flat Roof Insulation – Flat roofs need a different approach. Tapered insulation schemes and inverted roof insulation systems are often used to ensure proper drainage, and prevent moisture damage.
Floor Insulation
The materials we offer are various, including mineral wool, rigid insulation boards, and spray foam.
- Insulation Boards – They can be installed beneath floorboards or concrete slabs, much like an underlay, only this provides massive thermal barriers.
- Mineral Wool Batts – Flexible batts can be fitted between floor joists or beneath suspended floors, which can offer great thermal and acoustic insulation.
- Spray Foam Insulation – Spray foam can be installed beneath the floors to create an airtight seal, preventing the leakage of air.
Proper floor insulation can reduce heat loss through the floor by up to 15%.
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