When did you last give your conservatory a health check? If you haven’t checked on your conservatory lately, or perhaps aren’t even sure what a conservatory check involves, we’ve got news: it’s easy, it won’t take long and it could save you money!
And what does a health check involve?
There are two main aspects of checking your conservatory’s health and the first of these is a physical check. Checking on the state of your conservatory is something you should do a couple of times a year at least, in autumn and spring.
Physical check
This is importantly, particularly if you have a polycarbonate conservatory because firstly, damage and general wear and tear can go unnoticed. A crack, a bit of lose putty or a lose joint, a broken drain. In isolation these things may not seem too serious, but they can undermine the overall integrity of your conservatory and that can quickly lead to more serious issues.
Signs of age
The second reason for checking your polycarbonate conservatory is that conservatory technology has moved on and developed significantly over the last few years particularly when it comes to thermal efficiency. And if your conservatory is more than 5 years old, there may be some tell-tale signs that all is not well, such as minor leaks or damp, discolouration or bowing.
Checklist summary – look for:
- Discolouration of polycarbonate
- Cracks
- Leaks
- Performance audit
Even if your conservatory seems in good shape, it’s still a good idea to try and workout how thermally efficient it is. We’re not suggesting you invest in thermal imaging, but one easy and very quick test you can carry out at this time of year is to watch for frost and ice. If the ice or frost on your conservatory roof defrosts very quickly, it’s an instant indicator that your conservatory is leaking warmth. Compare yours to next doors to see how quickly any ice dissipates off their roof.
Drafts are another indication, and if you constantly feel like you’re in a cold draft, even when you’re not in the conservatory, then you have problems with thermal efficiency.
Of course, the best test of all is your heating bill. If you can, it might be worth comparing it to friends in your neighbourhood who don’t have a conservatory, or just close the door against your conservatory for a while and see if this makes a difference. High heating bills means you may well be losing a lot of energy through your conservatory in a battle to keep it warm.
Checklist summary – look for:
- High energy bills
- Drafts
- Lack of ice or frost on the outside
- The solution?
An ageing, thermally inefficient conservatory is of course a concern, but the solution may just be easier than you thought.
An insulated ceiling is likely to be more cost effective then thermal blinds or a major renovation project and can be fitted into your existing conservatory in a matter of days. Once complete, your household emissions will reduce and you’ll save money on your heating bill, year in, year out. What’s more, a new insulated ceiling gives your conservatory a whole new look, as well as being low maintenance and easy to keep clean.