Thermal Bridging 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?

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.

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.