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Stuart is a retired professional engineer and electronics hobbyist and Helen is a GP.
Comfort and cost saving.
The original house was designed when energy-saving was unheard of, and had poor insulation, used high cost energy (oil) and very limited controls. As a result it was not particularly comfortable and was expensive to run.
Architect-designed two-storey detached house built in 1960s for previous owners at a time when energy was cheap and insulation barely a consideration. Original construction was brick and concrete block with no cavity insulation, and a shallow-pitched concrete-tile roof.
Savings
Hard to give a single percentage, but note that we now use less electricity in the winter than we used to use in the summer. Though the PV panels do make a contribution, they are not very effective in winter. The main effect is simply replacement of all light bulbs with leds.
Having the panels on the FIT is a good thing because as a result of the early tariff we are on, we are now cash-neutral for energy (not carbon neutral).
A wooden extension was replaced by a 1990s brick/light-weight block two-storey annex.
Various internal improvements:
Remaining external woodwork (e.g. fascia boards, wooden doors, windows) replaced by powder-coated metal or plastics, with similar appearance but much lower maintenance.
Loft insulation: to 200mm, simple but made a big difference to comfort
Cavity wall insulation: blown bead insulation added by previous owners but incomplete, now inspected and fully filled.
Double-glazing: now throughout and draught-sealed, all with thermal breaks.
Low energy lighting: throughout, almost entirely LEDs. Kitchen lighting runs on 12v supply charged by PV when available, done to prevent loss of lighting during (common) power cuts.
Remote control sockets: to simplify switching lamps and electronics and to reduce use of ‘standby’ mode
Natural energy harvesting: solar PV and solar hot water, massively reducing electricity demand and making as much use of own-generated electricity as possible. Water now pre-heated by PV (Immersun) and solar water heat prior to heating by gas. In summer, on sunny days, all water heating by own energy.
Wood-burning stove: installed (we have enough trees to use our own wood)
Hot water tank insulation: mains-pressure tank now massively insulated (located in garage)
Condensing gas boiler: replaced old oil-fired boiler and tank and removed associated chimney and flue.
CH circulation: changed from ‘single-pipe’ to ‘two-pipe’ system, increasing level of control possible; intelligent ‘A’-rating circulation pump.
CH controls:
The wood-burning stove!
Plus the graphs showing falling costs and the FIT cheques from EON.