Tucked away at the foot of a "Do remember, it can get hot in the summer - even in the UK" tale currently up on the Beeb news page, some splendid stats which suggest that so far, there is probably no need to get unduly worked up about Green Deal-improved homes "overheating" just yet:
Only four people have signed up to the Green Deal since it was launched six months ago but Decc says that number is expected to increase with more finance in place.Which is not to say that the Green Deal isn't a success, it has lead to the creation of some new jobs - Green Deal Assessors - and according to the DECC's own website they have accredited 319 companies to carry these assessments out. A full listing is available via this handy webpage.
In total it said there had been 38,259 Green Deal assessments, where customers are given initial advice about what energy improvements they might be eligible for.
Of those, 241 households have confirmed they would like to proceed with work.
Update - the Mail is now carrying the story - Residents living in homes insulated under flagship Government scheme could die from OVERHEATING, experts warn and also this piece about one organisation especially keen to "spread the word" Firm promoting Government's Green Deal to improve household energy efficiency is fined £45,000 for making thousands of nuisance calls
3 comments:
Of course, like most scaremongering in the meeja, this article deliberately misrepresents the facts to make a better story. From the very start of the energy conservation efforts it has been realised that the quickest way to make a dramatic difference to the heat loss of a building is to cut down the air infiltration, which is why modern, airtight windows now have vents built into them as everyone went a bit over the top on this at first.. This is what is causing the excessive heat build up, not the insulation. If anything, the insulation, by preventing the heat getting in during the day, actually makes the house cooler.
"The real problem facing our nation's draughty homes is a lack of adequate insulation and energy efficiency in the colder months." says the DECC, demonstrating, as you might expect, that they are devoid of anyone who actually understands thermodynamics (I suppose a real engineer might see through the shonky "science" that underpins "global warming"). Air infiltration (draughts ) is a completely separate problem to heat loss through the fabric (which insulation prevents) and boiler efficiency.
Surely the insulation prevents the heat getting in in the first place? My sister installed loft insulation in their top floor flat in Cape Town and it improved things dramatically. At night, you simply open the windows.
MC, good spot.
M, yes, but you are applying a bit of general knowledge and common sense plus a real life example from a warm country to the issue, that will never get you the right answer, will it?
You're supposed to start with the answer you want and then re-write the laws of physics to support it.
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