Lämpövuotopaikat

Lämpövuotopaikat, also known as thermal bridges or cold bridges, are areas in a building's envelope where heat transfer is significantly higher than in surrounding materials. This increased heat flow occurs because materials with lower thermal resistance, such as structural elements made of concrete, steel, or timber, disrupt the continuous insulation layer. Common examples include connections between walls and floors, window and door frames, and where balconies or other external structures are attached to the building.

These thermal bridges can lead to several problems. Firstly, they reduce the overall thermal performance of the building, increasing heating and cooling energy consumption and thus higher utility bills. Secondly, the temperature on the interior surface of a thermal bridge is often lower than in adjacent areas. This can cause condensation to form when warm, moist indoor air comes into contact with the cold surface. Condensation, in turn, can promote the growth of mold and mildew, which can negatively impact indoor air quality and the health of occupants, as well as damage building materials over time.

Identifying and mitigating lämpövuotopaikat is crucial for energy-efficient and healthy building design and construction. Techniques for minimizing thermal bridging include using continuous insulation, thermal breaks in structural elements, and carefully designing connections between different building components. Thermal imaging cameras are often used to detect these areas of heat loss in existing buildings.