4.8 explain how insulation is used to reduce energy transfers from buildings and the human body

NOTE: You only need to learn a few examples, I have included quite a few so you can choose and decide which ones you find easiest to remember.

Buildings

Loft insulation - a thick layer of fibreglass wool laid out across the loft floor and ceiling reduces heat loss from the house by conduction and convection

Hot water tank jacket - Fibreglass wool reduces conduction and convection

Draught-proofing - Strips of foam and plastic around doors and windows stop draughts of cold air blowing in (therefore, they reduce the amount of heat lost due to convection)

Cavity wall insulation - foam squirted into the gap between the bricks stops convection currents and radiation in the gap, the insulating foam and air trapped also help reduce heat loss by conduction

Thick curtains - Reduce heat loss by conduction and radiation

Double glazing - Two layers of glass with a small gap of air in-between them, this reduces conduction and convection

Humans

Hairs - When it's cold, the hairs on your skin stand up to trap a 'thick' layer of air all over the body (which will insulate the entire surface area). This limits the amount of heat loss by convection.

Clothes - reduce heat transfer. Pockets of air trapped between clothes reduce heat transfer by conduction (and a little convection). Also, clothes reduce the amount of heat radiated from the body (this is because the material absorbs some of the heat as it is radiated out of our bodies).