Insulation as an antidote to "Energy Poverty"

Interview of Andreoy Argyris, president of the Panhellenic Association of Insulation Companies (P.S.E.M.) in Boussias construction magazine

Which techniques and which innovative materials are leading in the field of insulation? What are the energy benefits?

Proper insulation in buildings is the main way to save energy. Always starting from the roof (roof insulation) and continuing with the insulation of the rafters (where present) and the masonry (thermal facade) we can save over 80% of the total energy needed to heat or cool a building.

Due to the recent very unfavorable developments in energy prices, it is now critical and decisive to have properly insulated buildings in order to avoid the phenomenon of "energy poverty" that the majority of households in Greece are currently facing.

And let's note that the Panhellenic Association of Insulation Companies has repeatedly warned for many years about the need for energy upgrading of buildings because the possibility of aging and improperly insulated buildings in Greece reaching the point of "energy poverty", i.e. failing households to pay to have thermal comfort conditions inside their homes, was visible.

But what do we do now that energy poverty has knocked on our door?

First of all, the most important thing for PSEM is that we have to change our way of thinking. It is critical for the consumer to understand that they should not skimp on applying proper insulation to their building. The money he will save by making discounts on the materials that will be used or on the workshop that will apply them, will unfortunately pay for them many times over in the future. Conversely, by investing in proper insulation with certified materials and certified workshops, he will enjoy the benefits of energy savings in his building, literally for life!

So since we are all educated that we do not cut money from the insulation, but on the contrary it is the part that we have to add money to the construction or renovation of our building, let's see how we will achieve the desired result.

First, we pay attention to the materials that will be used. In this area, the effort made by PSEM for over a decade is beginning to bear fruit. More and more people are now asking for material characteristics to compare and decide. And when we say characteristics of the materials, we always mean certified characteristics, i.e. the mandatory basis of law now declaration of performance of the materials and/or the CE.

It is very important for the market to realize that, in 2022, we are no longer relying on what each vendor or company tells us. The consumer is protected by requesting the mandatory statutory declaration of performance of the materials or which is binding on the manufacturer.

So even though PSEM's efforts have now begun to bear fruit, we need to improve even more and PSEM will continue to inform the public in this direction. Certified materials ONLY.

The phenomenon "the craftsman will bring me the best materials" must be eliminated, it is crucial for the customer to know what material will be used and what are its certified characteristics. It must go without saying that before the implementation of the project there is a written study so that the client knows exactly in advance the materials that will be used and the benefits that will be obtained.

And finally we come to the part of the crews, the people who will do the application of the certified materials. Perhaps the most critical choice to achieve proper insulation. Here, unfortunately, PSEM's effort has not yet produced the expected results. Everyone will look for a degreed engineer or architect to build their house, but it is still not realized that they should look for a certified insulator when it comes time to do insulation.

The certified insulator or the certified insulation company are the ones who will help you choose the appropriate certified materials, explain the reason for their selection and of course ensure their correct application in an insulation system.

Certification in insulation works means that the appropriate training, theoretical and practical, has been preceded, and by choosing certified insulation workshops the customer is sure that the right choice of materials and their correct application will be made. The customer is confident by choosing a certified insulation workshop for his investment because he will simply receive a written guarantee for the insulation system.

 We all take the warranty for granted when buying a refrigerator or a washing machine in 2022, but unfortunately it is still not self-evident that an insulation that has a multiple value must also be accompanied by a written warranty that covers the materials that will be used and their correct application.

The Panhellenic Association of Insulation Companies has organized many certification and public information actions. And will continue to try more and more people request certified workshops for the application of insulation.

This is the innovation proposed by PSEM for the immediate future. ONLY certified materials and their application ONLY by certified workshops. ONLY in this way will the customer be sure of the result, and our country will manage to face the energy crisis and households the energy poverty.