As parts of the UK see the hottest day of the year so far, Actis Insulation products not only retain heat in the winter- but reflect it in the summer
With the southern part of England enjoying – or enduring – the hottest day of the year so far this week, an insulation specialist is reminding builders and specifiers of the important role played by insulation in keeping homes cool during a heatwave.
Staying cool goes way beyond merely remaining comfortable, says Actis’ UK and Ireland sales director Mark Cooper. It also plays a big part in helping to avoid severe health problems and even death in the vulnerable or elderly.
And while all insulation products keep the heat in during the winter, most don’t reflect it during the summer.
Insulation for the hottest day of the year- and the coldest
But Actis’ Hybrid range and its new two-in-one Eolis HC, which also has an integrated vapour barrier, offer the best of both worlds by keeping homes warm in cold weather and reflecting heat when it’s hot outside!
In fact, the reflective films from which Eolis HC is created reflect 95% of infrared radiation..
“This may have been of huge value to Cambridge residents on Monday when their city was officially named the hottest part of the UK, with the mercury hitting just shy of 35 degrees, while those down the road in London saw it reach 32 degrees,” said Mark.
The day was even hotter than the previous 2024 record, which saw the capital’s Kew Gardens and Heathrow hit the 32 degree mark in July.
Hybrid and Eolis HC are in line with Part O building regulations
“Part O of the building regulations obliges architects to limit unwanted solar gains and provide a way to remove heat from residential dwellings, so it makes sense for them to investigate alternative, reflective, insulation which also reflects heat and so helps protect the health and comfort of the occupants,” he said.
“Using reflective insulation such as our Hybrid products or Eolis HC will help counter some of the effects of extreme heat by enabling houses to remain at a pleasant temperature.
“However, insulation won’t counter the significant effects of solar gain through windows. Shutting the curtains, closing shutters, or having the windows sited with a difference aspect in the first place will address this particular problem.”
