Where Scottish Homes Lose Heat
Quick answer
Scottish homes lose heat through roofs, walls, windows, floors and draughts. Where the biggest losses are depends on the type of home. This guide looks at tenements, cottages, post-war houses and modern homes, and what to fix first. We install through MCS-certified partners across Scotland.
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Scottish homes lose heat through roofs, walls, windows, floors and draughts. Where the biggest losses are depends on the type of home. This guide looks at tenements, cottages, post-war houses and modern homes, and what to fix first.
Roofs
Heat rises, so an under-insulated loft is often the biggest single loss in houses and top-floor flats. Topping up loft insulation is usually simple.
Walls
Solid stone walls in tenements and cottages lose heat readily. Cavity walls in post-war homes can often be filled. Modern homes usually have insulated walls.
Windows, floors and draughts
Single-glazed sash windows, gaps around frames, suspended timber floors and open chimneys all let heat out. Draught-proofing is a low-cost first step.
Finding the gaps
Thermal imaging on a cold, still evening can show where heat escapes. Simple checks also help: feel for draughts around windows, doors, skirting boards and loft hatches, and look at loft insulation depth.
Scottish housing and heat loss
Scotland's homes include solid sandstone and granite tenements, rubble-built cottages, interwar cavity-wall houses, post-war no-fines concrete and timber-framed homes, and modern estates. Each loses heat differently. Solid stone walls need breathable approaches, often internal insulation with care around damp. Cavity walls can often be filled, though driving rain on exposed west-facing elevations needs to be considered. Timber kit homes usually benefit most from loft top-ups and draught-proofing.
Windows and doors are a large share of heat loss in older homes, especially original single-glazed sash and case windows. Conservation areas and listed buildings in places such as Edinburgh New Town, Stirling and many town centres have rules about what can be changed, so check with your council before ordering replacements.
How our survey works
Every project starts with a no-obligation survey. We look at your roof orientation, pitch, shading and condition, your fuse board and meter position, where a battery or inverter could go, and how your household uses electricity through the day and across the Scottish seasons. You then receive a written quote showing the equipment, the expected generation for your roof and the full price, so you can compare it fairly. We handle the network connection paperwork with your local distribution network operator, which is SP Energy Networks in central and southern Scotland and SSEN in the north, Highlands and islands. We install through MCS-certified partners. Solar panels and batteries are 0% VAT until March 2027. Finance available, subject to status.
Frequently asked questions
How can I find heat losses?
An EPC assessment or thermal imaging survey can help.
Do tenement flats lose less heat?
Middle flats are sheltered by neighbours; top and ground floors lose more.
What should I fix first?
Draughts and loft insulation are usually the quickest wins.
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Tell us about your home and we will arrange a survey and a written, no-obligation quote. Finance available, subject to status.