P1a 1.5/P7.

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Activity sheet

Teacher notes

Heat loss from houses

Aim
To describe how heat energy is lost from houses and how using insulating
materials can reduce this.

Answers
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through the floor   thick carpets

through the roof   loft insulation

through the walls   foam insulation

by draughts   draught excluders

through windows   double glazing

2 Conduction, floor, convection, current, insulators, foam.

3 a) Through the roof.
b) Through windows and by draughts.
c) Draughts can be fixed cheaply using simple draughts excluders.
d) Double glazing also provides sound insulation.

Teaching notes
This work sheet can be used to lead the students through the ideas about
reducing heat loss by using insulation. The example used is that of a house
which should be relevant to most students. Ideally the sheet should be used in
conjunction with the Just Click interactive that shows the different ways of
insulating a standard house.
It would be useful to have some sample materials at hand; basic draught
excluders, sample foams (set), carpets and loft insulation. The loft insulation will
probably be fibreglass, so eye protection and gloves are required.
The ideas covered could lead to a practical task looking at how to insulate a
beaker to reduce heat lost. Perhaps a competition where the students could ‘buy’
a limited range of materials (cotton wool, corrugated card, etc.) and then see
which groups can keep the beaker hottest for longest.
The task is suitable for homework and you may wish to get the students to look at
how their house is insulated and what could be improved.

Teaching assistants
Ensure that each student has a copy of the activity sheet.
Demonstrate materials to students (ensuring proper protection is used).
Provide general assistance with students in completing the sheet.
AQA Entry Level Certificate © Nelson Thornes Ltd 2007 P1a 1.5/P7.13
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