Community sports clubs have been the backbone of communities up and down the country for decades, and in some cases centuries. Their long and illustrious history means oftentimes, the bricks and mortar, e.g. the clubhouse, is not far off reaching listed building status.
Old buildings like our clubhouses and pavilions might be beautiful to look at, but they’re typically about as well insulated as a garden shed, which unfortunately leads to excessive heating costs and energy waste, posing a significant challenge to budgets.
Sound familiar? No need to panic, at TJB Services we’ve got your back. Upgrading insulation offers an affordable, high return on investment, cost saving solution to this widespread problem.
In this article we’ll explore five of the most effective ways to insulate your building to enhance energy efficiency in your club. Let’s get to it.
1. Loft and roof insulation
We all know that heat rises which makes your club’s roof or loft space a crucial first line of defence in the fight against energy waste.
Quite alarmingly, roughly 25% of heat escapes through an uninsulated roof (yep, a quarter of the money you spend on heating could quite literally be disappearing into thin air), so insulating this area can have an immediate and fairly dramatic effect.
By introducing proper roof insulation, you can prevent this heat loss and realise considerable energy savings which equals more money in your budget.
2. Wall insulation
The second big offender is your walls which can be a significant source of heat loss, accounting for around 35% of the total heat lost in an uninsulated building.
Fun fact: This is especially true of single layer stone/brick walls.
Effective wall insulation, such as that of an insulated cavity wall, can significantly reduce this heat loss. It preserves the warmth generated within your club and reduces the overall heating demand.
3. Floor and underfloor insulation
Floors are an area often overlooked, you might even say we walk all over them… (no? Too far?), but in all seriousness up to 15% of heat can escape through an uninsulated floor.
Introducing floor insulation - whether above or below the floorboards - can provide an additional layer of thermal efficiency.
A barrier is created that protects your clubhouse from the air that flows beneath the building, reducing draughts, and maintaining a warm and comfortable environment for spectators and visitors (while cutting costs in wasted energy for you).
Bonus points: under floor insulation also keeps your clubhouse cool in the summer months.
4. Internal retrofit insulation
Internal retrofit involves using insulation boards or insulation filled battening on walls, filling your roof space with insulation either between or over rafters, and fitting insulation between floor joists or a suspended floor.
Though this may reduce your interior space by an inch or two, the improvement in energy efficiency can more than compensate for the trade-off.
5. External retrofit insulation
External retrofit insulation can provide an excellent solution for buildings where minimal disruption is key. It involves constructing a second brick layer or adding battens to your building's outer walls, filled with insulation.
Brass tacks, this method will likely require more initial investment. But, for clubs who can’t afford any disruption it provides substantial energy savings and minimal interference with your daily operations.
To summarise
Improving your sports club's insulation can yield significant benefits, from enhanced energy efficiency to reduced heating costs.
Although each insulation method has its nuances there are options to suit varying needs and they all contribute towards a warmer, more comfortable space for your club's members and visitors, and a healthier bottom line.
Ready to explore your club's insulation options? Contact Chris at chris@tjbservices.co.uk. Together, we can create an energy-efficient, cost-effective environment for your community sports club.
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