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Subjects · Leaving Cert Construction Studies

Leaving Cert Construction Studies: Insulation & energy upgrades

How often Insulation & energy upgrades comes up on the Construction Studies papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 2 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2019.

OL Asked on 9 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

June 2028 is the first exam on the new Construction Studies course. These come from the 2016–2025 papers, so read them as a guide.

Insulation & energy upgrades, Higher Level(8 marks)

Quick ones on Insulation & energy upgrades.

(a)How does heat pass through a solid block wall?
  1. Convection
  2. Conduction
  3. Evaporation
(b)How does a low-e coating on glass reduce heat loss?
  1. It makes each pane thicker, so the heat passes more slowly
  2. It stops convection currents in the gas cavity
  3. It reflects long-wave radiant heat back into the room
(c)Heat loss by convection in a house is mainly caused by?
  1. Moving air, such as draughts and warm air rising
  2. Sunlight passing in through the window glass by day
  3. Heat travelling along steel ties and lintels
Show the answers

(a) Conduction

(b) It reflects long-wave radiant heat back into the room

(c) Moving air, such as draughts and warm air rising

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Insulation & energy upgrades.

Higher Level

Asked on 2 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2019.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Not asked
2024Not asked
2023Not asked
2022Not asked
2021Not asked
2019Q4
2018Not asked
2017Not asked
2016Q8

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Insulation & energy upgrades questions

Insulation & energy upgrades, 3 marks

What must be checked before pumping insulation into an existing cavity wall?

  1. The BER of the house and of the house next door
  2. That planning permission has been granted for it
  3. Cavity clear of rubble; wall not badly exposed to rain
Show the answer

Cavity clear of rubble; wall not badly exposed to rain

A borescope survey checks for mortar droppings and debris that could bridge water across. On walls in severe driving-rain exposure a filled cavity can let damp through.

Insulation & energy upgrades, 3 marks

Main drawback of internal wall insulation?

  1. It changes the outside look of the house
  2. Loss of floor space and harder junction detailing
  3. It always needs a full scaffold all around the house
Show the answer

Loss of floor space and harder junction detailing

Boards on the inside shrink rooms and must be carefully returned at floors, partitions and reveals to avoid thermal bridges and condensation behind them.

Insulation & energy upgrades, 2 marks

What does a thermographic (infrared) survey show?

  1. Surface temperatures, revealing heat leaks
  2. Radon levels in each room of the house
  3. The strength of the concrete in the external walls
Show the answer

Surface temperatures, revealing heat leaks

A thermal camera shows warm and cold areas. Used on a cold day with the heating on, it reveals missing insulation, thermal bridges and air leaks.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 9 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q2
2024Q2
2023Q2
2022Q2
2021Q2, Q8i
2019Q2
2018Q2
2017Q2, Q8f
2016Q2

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Insulation & energy upgrades questions

Insulation & energy upgrades, 2 marks

Heat moving through a solid wall is called?

  1. Convection
  2. Radiation
  3. Conduction
Show the answer

Conduction

In solids, heat passes from particle to particle. Insulation slows conduction down.

Insulation & energy upgrades, 2 marks

Warm air rising to the ceiling is an example of?

  1. Radiation
  2. Convection
  3. Conduction
Show the answer

Convection

Warm air is lighter, so it rises and cooler air sinks, making a current. Draughts also carry heat by moving air.

Insulation & energy upgrades, 2 marks

The sun warms your face through a window by?

  1. Radiation
  2. Conduction
  3. Convection
Show the answer

Radiation

Radiant heat travels as waves and needs no air or solid to pass through. It is how the sun's heat reaches the earth.

Other Construction Studies topics

All of Leaving Cert Construction Studies