How To Make Your Conservatory Energy Efficient
With fluctuating energy costs, everyone is striving for an energy-efficient home. Unfortunately, if you have a conservatory at the back of your home, this can feel like an uphill battle. With their all-glass structures, conservatories are infamous for being energy inefficient. However, there are a few ways that you can change this to make your conservatory energy efficient, like the rest of your house.
The biggest benefit of doing this is that you will make the room a usable space all year round. Of course, the reduced energy bills and decrease in impact on the environment are also positives to come from the investment.
At Richard Thomas, we have been working with homeowners across Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire to create and update functional and well-designed conservatories and extensions. Using the latest technology in conservatory designs, we can upgrade your conservatory to create a space that meets your needs and is energy efficient, so you can use it all year round without worrying about a large number at the bottom of your energy bill.
In this blog, we share some ways that you can improve the energy efficiency of your conservatory.
Enhance Insulation
Insulation is key to any home to keep it warm in winter and cooler in summer.
But with an all-glass conservatory, how do you improve the insulation?
There are a few ways:
- Upgrade to double or triple-glazing
- Opt for low-emissivity glass
- Seal gaps around doors and windows
- Replace the roof
One of the best things you can do to improve insulation is to replace the glass panels on your roof with a solid conservatory roof.
These are a new roof style that is now the standard, as Building Regulations changed in 2010. Using a solid material rather than glass or polycarbonate offers a better way of adding insulation to the roof while also offering design flexibility.
Don’t worry! You won’t need to lose all the natural light that makes your conservatory bright and airy because you can have plenty of windows and skylights fitted into it to allow the sun to enter.
Improve Heating and Cooling
The heating and cooling system you have in the room will also make a big difference to the efficiency of the space.
Underfloor heating or infrared panels both provide better energy efficiency than traditional heating methods.
It is also a good idea to add a thermostat to the room so that you can regulate the temperature easily. These will be able to help with automated heating, so the system turns on and off depending on the room temperature rather than leaving it to guesswork.
Of course, it isn’t all about keeping the room warm. In summer, conservatories can get incredibly hot as the sun streams in. This means the need for cooling systems such as air conditioning units are necessary to use the room, which drains energy.
Installing blinds and solar films can reduce overheating and the need for blasting the air conditioner.
Energy-Saving Tips
Along with these slightly bigger upgrades for your conservatory, there are several smaller changes you can make to create a more energy-efficient space.
- Add plants for natural shading and better air quality
- Switch to energy-efficient LED lights
- Unplug electronics when not in use
- Use energy-efficient appliances
Improve Your Conservatories Energy Efficiency With Richard Thomas
By enhancing insulation and improving your heating and cooling system in your conservatory, you can significantly improve its energy efficiency.
On top of those large investments, you can add small touches such as blinds, plants and LEDs to further optimise the efficiency.
At Richard Thomas, we are able to help you improve your existing conservatory by fitting double or triple-glazed windows and replacing your glass or polycarbonate roof with a solid one.
We use the revolutionary hup! building system from Ultraframe. The four different roof styles and shapes mean you will find one that fits your existing conservatory and house style. Plus, thanks to the panels being pre-made, the installation is efficient and simple, meaning less disruption to your day.
If you are looking to completely renovate your conservatory, we can use the hup! Building a system to create a completely new space. Our owner, Ben Slater, can visit your property and sit with you to design a bespoke new extension that utilises the modular design to produce a space that will perfectly blend with your existing space and be more energy-efficient than the conservatory you currently have.
With this system, you have complete control over everything, from external wall aesthetics to the placement of windows and doors to some of the materials used.
Interested in improving your conservatory’s energy efficiency? Get in touch with our friendly team to learn more about how we can help and get your project underway. Call us on 01202 488944 or complete our online contact form and we will be in touch with you.
