Balcony thermal bridges cost homeowners billions in energy bills, new study reveals.
The study focused on how to reduce heat loss in balcony structures to save energy. The researchers used computer simulations to test different insulation methods for balconies in hot and cold climates. They found that insulating the outside of the balcony worked best, followed by putting insulation inside, at corners, and using a thermal break. Just using a thermal break alone is not very effective for keeping heat in. Insulating corners and using a 60 mm layer can save money while still providing good insulation, similar to external insulation.