Simple answer is yes, it is possible and easier than you would expect to over-insulate a dwelling. It is a common issue that we have seen repeated on many projects. We will dive into the most common ways of overheating your home, as well as the effect this can have on not only your home, but also your health. 

Common mistakes 

• •  Air Tightness – it’s a common misperception that you must achieve the lowest possible air tightness result to comply with your EPC or keep the       dwelling as energy efficient as possible. But, having your home air tight can leave it getting too warm, and then developing ‘sick-building                     syndrome’.

• •  Installation of insulation – if you pack too much insulation into your walls/floors/ceilings, this can lead to a build-up of mould. This happens             because moisture gets trapped between the layers, leading to the growth of mould.

• •  Amount of insulation – having too much insulation can also mean your home finds it more difficult to maintain a consistent temperature                   throughout. Leading to some rooms being warmer and others being colder than what you would like. 

Effects of over-insulating 

• •  Mould/Damp - if your home isn’t able to get rid of any of its heat due to the amount of insulation and air tightness, then the damp stale air, usually     exhausted, lingers in the home, causing it to settle and lead to damp and mould growth. This is bad for the health of both the building and the             occupier.

• •  Temperature control – as mentioned above, you will find it far more difficult to keep a comfortable and healthy balance of heat throughout the         home. Some rooms will retain more heat, making it uncomfortable for the occupier, as well as increasing the risks of damp and mould.

• •  Health – if damp and mould was to grow, then this would increase the health risks to the occupier. Studies show that unhealthy air quality is on of     the main causes of asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory diseases. Also, exposing the body to big temperature differences between rooms can     also bring on cold and flu. 

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