Conservatories

When it comes to conservatories, correct insulation is vital for preventing avoidable heat loss. This means installing energy-efficient windows with double glazing and correct framings. 

There are several other ways you can consider sustainability when building your conservatory, including: 

• Utilising natural light - you should look to make use of natural light where possible, for example, using larger windows and considering the positioning of the conservatory. 
• Heating options – incorporating energy-efficient heating, such as heat pumps or underfloor heating, instead of using a conventional gas boiler to heat the space, can be a great way to make your conservatory function in a more sustainable way. 
• Insulation – you should ensure your conservatory is properly insulated to prevent avoidable heat loss. 
• Ensure sufficient roof insulation, to prevent heat loss during winter and keep a regulated temperature during hotter months. 
• The use of environmentally friendly materials and methods - you can refer to Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method¹ (BREEAM²) for more information on this. 

It’s worth considering using renewable energy sources to power your project. Consider incorporating renewable energy sources like solar panels to generate electricity if possible and look to use energy-efficient lighting, such as LED bulbs, where possible. 

Whilst providing useful space, a badly designed conservatory can be a huge energy drain for the house as a whole.

One key to avoiding this is to separate the conservatory from the rest of the house, so that it can only be accessed via an external (insulated) door, so that it can then be closed off at night and on cold days.

If you want a sunspace that is integral to the rest of the house, it needs to be designed as an extension, with lots more insulation and energy efficient glazing in place.

As with any project, it's vital to  ensure that all waste is recycled and/or reused as much as possible. 

We strongly recommend discussing sustainability, durability and longevity considerations with the tradespeople helping you to carry out your project. You can find a trusted trade using our ‘find a professional’³ tool.

1. https://bregroup.com/products/breeam/breeam-technical-standards/
2. https://mcas-proxyweb.mcas.ms/certificate-checker?login=false&originalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fbregroup.com.mcas.ms%2Fproducts%2Fbreeam%2F%3FMcasTsid%3D15600&McasCSRF=1831e6a25d998e3dda6b489cb655a5681d7f812a3378c6c25b3708e4f3f0b3c4
3. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/planning-applications/find-a-trade-professional