Get an indication of how good (or bad) your roof insulation is.
Typical British homes, lose around one-third of the heat produced by their central heating system through the roof, walls and windows. This means that a poorly insulated property can waste up to £1 out of every £3 spent on heating.
For advice and information on how best to insulate your property and reduce heat losses please refer to the information and useful links at the bottom of the page.
Aerial thermal mapping
In February, a company called Blue Sky International was commissioned to complete an aerial thermal survey during four nights in February 2011. A digital camera was used that is sensitive to the different levels of infra-red light given off by objects.
The data has now been processed and you can see the results for your house on the heat loss map (please read below before accessing the link).
It is important to remember that the aerial survey is a snapshot taken at one moment in time showing how much heat your property was losing when the aeroplane flew over.
The roof colour is an indication of how well the roof is insulated. It also assumes that the building was being heated at the time.
Please note: Currently the mapping covers most urban areas of North Lincolnshire. Therefore some properties may not be included at this time.
The map may show something called false negatives. This is when buildings show blue (colder) colours, suggesting good levels of insulation, when in fact it may be that the insulation is not good. This can occur when the house is empty and the heating is not switched on, or it could indicate fuel poverty.
The map may also show false positives, where, for example, a loft hatch has been left open and hot air has got into the roof void and warmed it up.
Interpreting the maps
To see the results of the thermal mapping in your area, visit the 'my maps' section of the council website.
Type in your postcode or part of your address in the 'search for location' box and then select your address.
By looking at the colour of the roof, you can gain an indication of how good your insulation is, subject to the notes above.
The nearer it is to the blue end of the scale (shown at the bottom of the map) the better your insulation. If the colour is more toward the red section it means the insulation in your roof may be in need of an insulation top up.
Why not have a look at the colours of other roofs nearby to see how yours compares?
What can I do if it seems like my insulation isn’t very good?
If you are able to, you could look in your loft space and see how much insulation there is between the rafters. Better still get a contractor to check it out for you.
The recommended insulation standards and insulation thicknesses have increased in recent years and insulation tends to compact with time and become less effective. Loft insulation of up to 300mm / 12 inches is now recommended, though this amount may not always be practical.
Energy saving advice
As well as looking at how good the insulation is in your roof, you should also consider how well insulated your walls and windows are.
For advice on home insulation, energy saving tips, energy saving grants and discount schemes that are available, use the following links:
