Introduction to Draught Excluding (Draught, Draft or just plain Daft!)
You might be surprised to learn the correct term is ‘draught’! Excluding draughts is the most effective way to start saving energy. Draughts are usually the results of small openings in building fabric. When cold air enters internal spaces via these openings it increases load on the heating system, therefore increasing the amount of fuel required to maintain a comfortable temperature. Draught excluders are an effective solution to combat unwanted cold draughts.
Understand and Diagnose The Cause
Cold draughts are often worse in winter because materials tend to contract when temperatures drop. Eliminating draughts is one of the cheapest ways to reduce heating costs. Areas that tend to create draughts include:
- Poorly sealed door and window frames.
- Base of walls, below skirting boards.
- Behind kitchen units, particularly around service pipework as it passes through the external wall.
It is important to understand that in some rooms, regular ventilation is essential. Areas such as bathrooms and kitchens require ventilation to remove water vapour before it condenses on internal surfaces. Extract fans in both areas should meet specific performance criteria in accordance with Approved Document F. Open trickle vents regularly if installed within window and door frames. It may seem counter intuitive to open trickle vents, but they serve an important purpose. As buildings and modern houses become more energy efficient, they trap air more easily. This can cause a build-up of moisture in rooms of the house. In the worst cases the air reaches a saturation point where it is more likely to cause condensation on surfaces within the building or house. Trickle vents are a passive mechanism to control and reduce levels of moisture and vapour to acceptable levels.
Draughts can become more noticeable during colder and windier spells. Take these opportunities to identify their source before installing draught excluders. A competent DIYer can install draught excluders, however, we would always recommend appointing a specialist if there is a budget to do so.
Draught Excluding Solutions
QLON manufacture a comprehensive range of draught excluders for windows and doors. It is important to assess each fitting before specifying and buying draught excluding products. If in doubt, consult the manufacturer and/ or supplier directly.
If your property already has QLON seals, or an equivalent form of draught excluder, but there is still a draught entering via the fitting, perform an adjustment check on the fitting. In some instances, the door and/ or window will need adjustment via its hinges to achieve a tighter seal around the fitting. Consult the manufacturer’s product information and maintenance documentation for each fitting.
Retrofit Draught Excluders
Retrofitting draught excluders into older, timber frames is also possible. This requires specialist tools and involves routing a special channel into the frame to accommodate the draught excluding seal. There are many aftermarket options available and it is worth taking the time to correctly specify appropriate draught exclusion for each fitting.
The Best Time to Address Draught Excluding
It is often an ideal time to address draughts while undertaking other works, such as replacing bathrooms and kitchens. After the old fittings have been removed, spend some time filling and repairing holes and/ or penetrations through the substrate wall. There are proprietary foam sealants which expand as they set. Cut back any excess material. Consult the manufacturer’s recommendations before applying these products around pipework and other service installations. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Eliminate draughts at the base of walls, where the plasterboard does not meet the floor.
Chimneys are a common source of problems in older properties. If, however, it is no longer in use consider sealing these areas. If it is still in use, ensure the chimney and fittings are correctly maintained by a competent person. Finally, if problems persist consider complete removal which will prevent leaks and draughts.
Further guidance is available on the Energy Saving Trust’s website.
Let’s Build Something
Please drop us a note about your project via our contact form.
Utangulizi wa Draft Excluding (Draught, Draft au tu Daft kawaida!) Huenda ukashangaa kujua kwamba neno sahihi ni <unk>draught<unk>! Kuondoa mvuke ni njia bora zaidi ya kuanza kuokoa nishati. Kwa kawaida mvuke hutokea kwa sababu ya mashimo madogo katika vitambaa vya ujenzi. Wakati hewa baridi huingia katika nafasi za ndani kupitia milango hii, inaongeza mzigo kwenye mfumo wa joto, na hivyo kuongeza kiasi cha mafuta inahitajika kudumisha joto la starehe. Excluders draught ni suluhisho ufanisi kupambana na draughts baridi zisizohitajika. Kuelewa na Kuchunguza Kisababishi cha Baridi Mara nyingi ni mbaya zaidi wakati wa majira ya baridi kali kwa sababu vifaa huwa na kushikamana wakati joto linapopungua. Kuondoa mvuke ni mojawapo ya njia za bei nafuu za kupunguza gharama za joto. Maeneo ambayo huwa na kuunda drafts ni pamoja na: - Badly kufungwa mlango na dirisha muafaka. - Msingi wa kuta, chini ya mabamba ya chini. - Nyuma ya vitengo vya jikoni, hasa karibu na mabomba ya huduma wakati inapita kupitia ukuta wa nje. Ni muhimu kuelewa kwamba katika vyumba fulani, ni muhimu kuwa na uingizaji hewa wa kawaida. Maeneo kama vile bafu na jikoni yanahitaji uingizaji hewa ili kuondoa mvuke wa maji kabla ya kuyeyuka kwenye nyuso za ndani. Mashabiki wa kuondoa katika maeneo yote mawili yanapaswa kukidhi vigezo maalum vya utendaji kulingana na Hati iliyokubaliwa F. Fungua vents za kutiririka mara kwa mara ikiwa zimewekwa ndani ya fremu za dirisha na milango. Huenda ikaonekana kwamba si jambo la kawaida kufungua mashimo ya hewa, lakini yana kusudi muhimu. Kadiri majengo na nyumba za kisasa zinavyokuwa na ufanisi zaidi wa nishati, ndivyo zinavyoweza kukamata hewa kwa urahisi zaidi. Hilo laweza kusababisha unyevu kujilimbikizia katika vyumba vya nyumba. Katika hali mbaya zaidi, hewa hufikia kiwango cha kujaa ambapo ina uwezekano mkubwa wa kusababisha condensation kwenye nyuso ndani ya jengo au nyumba. Vituo vya kuvuja ni utaratibu wa kushindwa kudhibiti na kupunguza viwango vya unyevu na mvuke kwa viwango vinavyokubalika. Mvua ya mvua yaweza kuonekana zaidi wakati wa majira ya baridi kali na upepo mkali. Tumia fursa hizi kutambua chanzo chao kabla ya kufunga draught excluders. Mfanyakazi wa DIY anaweza kuweka mashine za kuondoa draught, lakini tunapendekeza kuajiri mtaalamu ikiwa kuna bajeti ya kufanya hivyo. QLON ni kampuni ya kimataifa ya kutengeneza na kutengeneza bidhaa mbalimbali za kutengeneza draught excluders kwa ajili ya madirisha na milango. Ni muhimu kutathmini kila fitting kabla ya kutaja na kununua draft kutokuwamo bidhaa. Ikiwa una shaka, wasiliana na mtengenezaji na au muuzaji moja kwa moja. Ikiwa nyumba yako tayari ina mihuri ya QLON au aina sawa ya kuzuia draught, lakini bado kuna draught inayoingia kupitia fitting, fanya ukaguzi wa marekebisho kwenye fitting. Katika baadhi ya matukio, mlango na au dirisha itahitaji marekebisho kupitia hinges yake ili kufikia muhuri tighter kuzunguka fitting. Angalia maelezo ya bidhaa ya mtengenezaji na nyaraka za matengenezo kwa kila fitting. Retrofit Draft Excluders Retrofitting Draft Excluders katika zamani, mifumo ya mbao pia inawezekana. Hii inahitaji zana maalum na inahusisha routing channel maalum katika sura ya kukaribisha draft isipokuwa muhuri. Kuna chaguzi nyingi baada ya soko inapatikana na ni thamani ya kuchukua muda wa sahihi kutaja sahihi draft kutengwa kwa kila fitting. Wakati bora wa kushughulikia drafts ni mara nyingi wakati mzuri wa kushughulikia drafts wakati wa kufanya kazi nyingine, kama vile kubadilisha bafu na jikoni. Baada ya vifaa vya zamani vimeondolewa, tumia muda fulani kujaza na kurekebisha mashimo na au kupenya kupitia ukuta wa substrate. Kuna sealants nyenzo za povu ambayo kupanua kama wao kuweka. Punguza vifaa vyovyote vilivyo ziada. Angalia mapendekezo ya mtengenezaji kabla ya kutumia bidhaa hizi karibu na mabomba na mitambo mingine ya huduma. Sikuzote fuata mapendekezo ya mtengenezaji. Ondoa mvuke kwenye msingi wa kuta, ambapo mbao za plasta hazikutani na sakafu. Chumni ni chanzo cha kawaida cha matatizo katika mali za zamani. Hata hivyo, ikiwa haitumiki tena, fikiria kufunga maeneo hayo. Kama bado ni katika matumizi, kuhakikisha chimney na fittings ni kwa usahihi kudumishwa na mtu mwenye uwezo. Hatimaye, ikiwa matatizo yanaendelea fikiria kuondoa kabisa ambayo itazuia uvujaji na mtiririko wa hewa. Mwongozo zaidi unapatikana kwenye tovuti ya Energy Saving Trust. Hebu kujenga kitu Tafadhali kutupa noti kuhusu mradi wako kupitia fomu yetu ya mawasiliano.