Homes Leaked Billions of Pounds Worth of Heat During Cold Snap

According to the latest figures, offices and homes across the UK leaked more than a billion pounds worth of heat on top of regular levels, during the cold snap over the past month.

The study, carried out by management consultancy Faithful & Gould, showed that the low temperatures accelerated the rate at which heat was lost through buildings, meaning that heating systems were put into overdrive to help keep temperatures warm inside.

The study highlights the fact that better insulation, including double glazing to prevent heat being lost through the windows, could help to save households a large amount of money on their energy bills – as well as reducing carbon emissions across the country.

Ellie Horwitch-Smith, from Faithful & Gould, said that ‘heat is simply lost at a greater rate if the temperature drops’ and that the figure is, in fact, ‘a very conservative estimate’.

Horwitch-Smith added that the figures will hopefully push larger organisations to take part in he Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency scheme which is being launched this April. The scheme will try to encourage both office developers and homeowners to make use of energy efficient technology, including double glazing, to improve insulation and reduce heat loss.

‘The answer may be to fit retrofit insulation and double glazing’ she added.

Figures state that the average property would have needed £37 worth of extra heating over a period of two weeks just to maintain the same temperature.