Thermal Bridging Calculations

We can run thermal bridging calculations to detect any weak spots in insulation and pin-point the parts of your building that are more prone to heat loss. By doing this, we can help you take the necessary steps to reduce energy expenditure and make your home or business more efficient.

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What are Thermal Bridging Calculations?

Our team of knowledgeable experts are well-versed in thermal bridging, a prime culprit for heat loss in buildings. We design efficient solutions to identify and eliminate thermal bridges, which ultimately protects your SAP rating and indoor climate comfort. As Accredited Construction Details (ACD) have been removed starting 2022, it’s now critical that all builders and designers create third-party calculations for each proposed junction or thermal bridge within the dwelling. Failing to do this will result in poor default values being assumed during the SAP process – compromising your chances of meeting minimum fabric efficiency standards.

At its core, thermal bridging calculations estimate how much warmth is lost through contact points with an external structure. These evaluations not only measure a building’s ability to keep interior temperatures comfortable but also provide guidance on what kind and size of insulation to install for utmost efficacy. Thermal bridging computations additionally reveal areas where more insulation or other measures may be needed to prevent heat from escaping too swiftly.

Using specialist software such as Physibel Trisco modelling software our professionals can accurately simulate how heat transfers through a building structure taking into account materials used, geometry and boundary conditions amongst other details. The output from these simulations provides us with graphs indicating temperature distribution across the building structure along with changes over time; thus helping us detect hotspots immediately so necessary steps can be taken without delay!

When constructing a new home, there are some common thermal bridges that need to be taken into account. These include junctions between the ground floor and wall, openings around windows and doors, roof at eaves or gable ends, flat roof perimeters, internal and external corners as well as parapets. It is also important to consider party wall or floor junctions. Our experienced team of professionals can provide you with information about all these details so your home is energy-efficient from the start!

Thermal Bridging Calculations:

Frequently combined with the following additional services:

SAP Calculation - New Build

SAP Calculation - Conversion

SBEM Calculation - (New Build - Non-Domestic)

Condensation Risk Assessment

Air Pressure Testing

Sound Testing

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Thermal Bridging in SAP and SBEM Calculations

Accounting for thermal bridging with precision can save resources during the construction process. Using SBEM to assess commercial buildings, opting for the default value leads to an increase in insulation levels; resulting in higher costs and decreased accuracy of the calculation.

As SAP10 will soon eliminate ‘Accredited Construction Details,’ a thorough thermal bridging calculation is essential for successful domestic building design. With our expertise, we are here to provide informed guidance through this critical step of development.
Certification

Your thermal bridge calculation certificate will provide two important figures for energy performance calculations: PSI (ψ) and temperate factor (ƒRsi). The PSI value indicates the amount of heat loss from the junction, while the temperate factor should be above 0.75 to guarantee risk-free surface condensation. Rest assured that our team of experts employ only the best Physibel Trisco modelling software for all our calculations.

Thermal Bridging and Approved Document Part L1 2021

In order to meet the revised standards of Part L 2021 of the Building Regulations, Accredited Construction Details (ACDs) are no longer utilised for thermal bridging junctions. Although a default thermal bridging value can be used, this route results in an unavoidable penalty that may cause SAPs to miss the mark when it comes fabric energy efficiency.

With homes becoming more insulated, it’s important to take note that up to 30% of heat loss could occur due to thermal bridges formed by highly conductive elements such as metal studs within the wall construction.

By proactively addressing this issue, there is potential for a significant improvement in CO2 performance and energy efficiency – around 17% and 23%, respectively! Consulting with Focus 360 Energy will ensure compliance while remaining cost-effective at the same time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Helpful information you may need to supply?

When conducting a Thermal Bridging Assessment, the following information should be provided:

1. Building plans and drawings: Detailed architectural and structural drawings of the building, including floor plans, elevations, sections, and details of building components.

2. Building materials and construction methods: Information about the materials used in the building envelope, such as insulation, framing, and cladding systems, as well as construction methods and details.

3. Thermal bridging details: Identification of potential thermal bridging locations, including areas where heat may escape or enter the building due to the presence of conductive materials or penetrations in the building envelope.

4. Building specifications: Details about the building’s design specifications, such as U-values, R-values, and thermal resistance of building elements, as well as specifications for windows, doors, and other building components.

5. Climate data: Information about the local climate conditions, including temperature ranges, humidity levels, and prevailing wind patterns, which can impact the building’s thermal performance.

6. Building usage: Details about the building’s occupancy and usage patterns, including heating and cooling requirements, internal heat gains, and ventilation systems.

7. Previous energy assessments: Any previous energy assessments or energy performance data for the building, which can help in identifying potential areas for improvement and optimizing energy efficiency.

8. Building condition: Information about the condition of the building envelope, such as any signs of moisture damage, air leakage, or deterioration, which can affect the building’s thermal performance.

By providing this information, the Thermal Bridging Assessment can accurately identify potential thermal bridging issues and recommend effective strategies to improve the building’s energy efficiency and thermal comfort.

Do I have to undertake these calculations?

Thermal bridging occurs when a material with high thermal conductivity creates a pathway for heat to flow between a building’s interior and exterior, bypassing the insulation. While thermal bridging is a common issue in many buildings and can lead to increased energy consumption and reduced thermal comfort, it is not a requirement to have thermal bridging in a building design.

Designing for thermal bridging can help improve energy efficiency and comfort in a building, but it is not mandatory. However, it is recommended to consider thermal bridging in building design to optimise energy performance and reduce heat loss. There are various strategies and materials that can be used to minimise thermal bridging and improve the overall energy efficiency of a building. calculations?

What happens if my result is poor?

If your thermal bridging result is poor, it means that heat is being transferred more easily through the building envelope, leading to higher energy consumption and potentially higher heating and cooling costs. This can also result in discomfort for occupants, as there may be colder spots near the thermal bridges.

To address poor thermal bridging results, you may need to make improvements to the building envelope to reduce heat loss through these areas. This could involve adding insulation, using thermal breaks, improving air sealing, or making other modifications to reduce the transfer of heat through the thermal bridges. It is important to work with a professional to properly assess and address any thermal bridging issues in your building.

How is a thermal bridging survey carried out?

A thermal bridging survey is typically carried out by a trained professional such as a building surveyor or energy assessor. The survey involves identifying and assessing areas of a building where thermal bridging may be occurring, which can lead to heat loss and decreased energy efficiency.

The survey may include the following steps:

1. Visual inspection: The surveyor will visually inspect the building, looking for potential areas where thermal bridging may be occurring. This can include areas such as window frames, wall junctions, and roof connections.

2. Infrared thermography: Infrared thermography may be used to detect thermal anomalies in the building, which can indicate areas of thermal bridging. This technology can identify areas where heat is escaping or penetrating the building envelope.

3. Thermal imaging: Thermal imaging cameras can be used to capture images of the building, highlighting areas where heat transfer is occurring. This can provide a more detailed and accurate assessment of thermal bridging issues.

4. Building modeling: Building modeling software may be used to simulate how heat flows through the building structure, helping to identify areas of concern and potential solutions to mitigate thermal bridging.

5. Detailed analysis: The surveyor will analyze the data collected during the survey to assess the extent of thermal bridging in the building and make recommendations for improvements to increase energy efficiency.

View our case studies

The Round House
Norfolk

Tremayne House
Cornwall

Hamilton Road
Essex

463-489 High Road
Illford

St. Catherines Court
Bristol

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Thermal Bridging Calculations