Yes, you can live warm and comfortably in a modular house even in Latvian winter. The word "modular" explains how the house is made and delivered, not how thick a sweater you will need to wear in the living room in January. Heat is determined by the structure of the house, windows, heating, ventilation and how carefully everything is built.
Look at the whole house, not just the wall
The thickness of the insulation in the wall is only one part of the overall picture. Heat can also escape through floors, roofs, windows, doors and poorly made joints. Ask the manufacturer for the figures for the entire selected house, not one impressive number from the catalog.
Fresh air needs a plan
A well-insulated house should also be airtight, so ventilation needs proper planning. Ask how fresh air enters, how moisture leaves the bathroom and what maintenance the equipment needs. Opening a window works too, but it is hardly the cosiest permanent solution in January.
Someone else's heating bill doesn't tell the whole story
Two homes of the same size can have different bills because of the weather, indoor temperature, number of occupants and electricity tariff. When asking about heating costs, check the floor area, heating system, period covered and whether other electricity use is included.
What to ask the manufacturer
Ask for the home's energy performance calculation, construction details and heating and ventilation specifications. If it will stand empty in winter, find out how to maintain a safe temperature and stop the pipes freezing. They cannot put on a jumper when the temperature drops.
If you are still choosing a house, see our guide to year-round house construction and insulation.
We compare Latvia's leading modular home manufacturers.
