Getting your home ready for winter: anticipating heat loss
Winter brutally reveals the thermal weaknesses of a house: soaring bills, cold zones, and daily discomfort. In autumn, a precise thermal diagnosis — infrared camera or airtightness test — helps detect thermal bridges before the first cold snap.
Insulating the attic, reinforcing walls, and replacing exterior joinery are key actions that can cut up to 30% of heat loss. Planning these works early in autumn ensures a warm winter and immediate savings on heating.
In a recent project, a full renovation carried out between summer and early autumn allowed a family to enjoy warmth from the first frosts. Conversely, a client who remained on-site during a winter renovation in an old building suffered from the cold until insulation was completed.
A more comfortable worksite for professionals and occupants
Autumn temperatures, between 10 and 20 °C, offer ideal conditions for insulation installers and builders. Unlike summer, when heat slows progress, or winter, when frost weakens materials, autumn ensures accurate, long-lasting work.
For residents too, living through a renovation becomes easier: no extreme heat, no sealed windows under 35 °C, and daily routines preserved. Scheduling work in October or November is often the smartest way to balance efficiency, comfort, and peace of mind.
Which insulation works to prioritize in autumn?
For quick and effective results, focus on three areas: walls, windows, and roof. Insulating attics, lost or converted, brings the biggest gains, followed by interior cladding with insulating materials (glass wool, cellulose), and high-performance windows with double or triple glazing filled with argon gas.
These improvements, completed before winter, drastically enhance thermal comfort and cut heating needs. Autumn becomes the season of well-being and energy efficiency.
Just like the garden, the house prepares for winter rest
Observing nature in autumn helps us understand the very meaning of renovation: preparing, protecting, anticipating. Just as trees dress in color before winter rest, a well-insulated home enters the cold season with calm and serenity.
FAQ – Insulation and Thermal Comfort in Autumn
Which types of insulation should be prioritized before winter?
The main sources of heat loss come from the attic, walls, and exterior joinery. In a renovation project aimed at improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact, we always start with a precise thermal assessment carried out by a professional. This helps identify the most critical areas and target where energy savings will be most significant. Work often begins in the attic, and the report is shared during the materials selection phase.
What insulation materials are best for an effective renovation?
Every building requires a specific solution. On our projects, we usually recommend glass wool or cellulose fiber for attic spaces, and semi-rigid or bio-based insulation panels for walls. The choice depends on the substrate, local climate, and the desired level of comfort. Maintaining the continuity of the thermal envelope remains the priority—each approach has its advantages depending on the project goals.
How does insulation help reduce heating bills?
Proper insulation eliminates thermal bridges and stabilizes indoor temperatures, reducing the need for heating. In practice, we observe an average energy consumption reduction of 25 to 30 % within the first season. Daily comfort also improves: no more cold walls, fewer temperature fluctuations, and significantly reduced heat or cooling loss.
Which solution is better: external or internal insulation?
It depends on the building’s configuration. External insulation (EIFS or ETI) is ideal for treating thermal bridges and upgrading façades under renovation. Internal insulation remains suitable for inhabited or listed buildings where the exterior must be preserved. Each approach is defined after a comprehensive architectural diagnosis, balancing performance, aesthetics, and technical feasibility.
How can you check a home’s thermal efficiency before renovation?
A professional thermal assessment is essential before any work begins. We use infrared cameras and airtightness testing to detect invisible heat leaks. These readings, interpreted by an architect or certified technician, guide the project toward truly effective improvements and ensure the coherence of the overall energy renovation.