How heat flows through walls with and without insulation?
                     How Heat Flows through Walls 
with And  without Insulation?
We all have heard of the good and bad conductors of electricity. However, this  
question of how heat flows still comes to everyone’s head. To ensure safety,  
energy efficiency, and comfort within the building, it tends to get necessary to  
understand the various ways heat travels through a building.
There are three main mechanisms that describe the entire process of how heat  
flows through the walls- conduction, convection, and radiation. And this process 
 is controlled by the insulation that also influences the thermal performance of  
construction. If you want to buy the best wall insulation products, first you 
must  understand how heat flows with and without insulation.
Heat Transfer Mechanisms Explained
Let’s understand the three mechanisms involved in the process of heat transfer:
 Conduction: Conduction is the prime method of heat transfer through 
any  building. Everyone knows that heat flows from the warmer side to 
the  cooler in any wall. However, few people know that the thermal  
conductivity of the products used in the construction of the wall  
influences the rates of conduction. Metal is a material that has high  
thermal conductivity and can transfer heat quickly. On the contrary, wood 
 or refractory bricks are not considered a good conductor of electricity 
and  transfer the heat more slowly.
 Convention: This controls the movement of air or liquid within the walls.  
Air can circulate through gaps in uninsulated walls leading to heat loss in  
the cold weather and heat gain in summer.
 Radiation: Heat flow through radiation causes the emission of infrared  
energy. The reflective surface of walls reduces the efficiency of heat  
transfer by reflecting radiant energy.
Now, Let’s Understand How Heat Flows through  
Uninsulated Walls
The above-mentioned three mechanisms can freely operate in an uninsulated  
wall that leads to significant loss or gain in heat.
 Summer condition: The outdoor air is hot and conducts through the wall  
into the interior which is cooler in summer. In this scenario, convection  
currents transport the heat inside and the sun’s radiant energy causes  
heating of the wall surface that easily transfers the heat inside.
 Winter Condition: In winter when the weather is cool, the heat transfers  
from the inside to the outside which leads to high heating costs.
Role of Insulation
Insulation is a perfect solution that one can use as a barrier to heat flow and  
reduce the rate of conduction. You can minimize the heat transfer by  
incorporating insulation. This results in reduced consumption of energy for  
heating and cooling while maintaining indoor temperature.
Since various wall insulation products are available, you will see each has unique 
 properties and advantages. The most popular wall insulation products are  
glasswool insulation and rockwool boards for the wall.
 Glasswool Insulation: It is made of recycled glass and has excellent  
thermal properties that help in reducing heat flows through walls. This is  
an efficient insulator as its fibrous structure traps air.
 Rockwool Insulation: Rockwool is made from volcanic rock and 
processed  into fibers and formed into boards. Rockwool insulation for
 heat  absorption is considered an ideal product. This is not just an 
effective  insulator but enhances the safety of the building.
A Comparison between Insulated and Uninsulated 
 Walls
Have a look at the below-mentioned points to understand the difference  
between insulated and uninsulated walls:
 Energy Efficiency: Insulated walls ensure no heat loss in winter and gain  
in summer which promises low electricity bills. However, uninsulated  
walls result in higher energy consumption by allowing more heat transfer.
 Comfort: Insulated walls maintain moderate indoor temperature but  
uninsulated leads to cold spots in winter and hot temperatures in  
summer.
 Environment Impact: Insulated walls lower the carbon emission 
while  uninsulated walls contribute to emissions of greenhouse gases.
 Fire Safety: Materials like refractory bricks and rockwool insulators  
ensure enhanced fire resistance. However, uninsulated walls lack this  
protection layer.
It is very crucial to determine how heat flows through insulated and insulated  
walls. Investing in wall insulation products is always a wise move in terms of  
comfort and energy savings. Therefore, incorporate these materials and create  
a more efficient and comfortable space for living.
Source Link:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-heat-flows-through-walls-without-  
insulation-refmon-industries-wh1wc/