Thermal Bridges
Thermal bridges reduce energy efficiency and wipe out benefits brought about by heat recapture, any other insulation and passive house principles.
A thermal bridge occurs when an area that is more conductive than the materials around it allows heat energy to escape — like a bridge. It is not directly linked to ventilation but — as part of the passive house principles and towards a general efficiency of energy in your home space — is definitely worth considering. Significant inefficiencies and heat energy lost by thermal bridges can wipe out any benefits brought on by heat recapture and airtightness. To get the most out of any ventilation system we should aim for thermal bridge free construction, which works to the ‘fabric first’ design and construction principle, with effective and considered insulation. We can achieve thermal bridge free construction through appropriate insulation, design and heat energy conservation practices with Passive house principles (see Passive house principles) in mind.