Opening doors to low energy refurbishment
SuperHome Database
London, Southwark, Choumert Road
House Summary
Owner(s):
Chris NewmanHouse Type:
1870s 3 storey semi detached house but now with side passage covered to make almost terraced, to reduce heat lossCarbon saving:
78%Total invested:
£22,500
Measures installed:
- 60% new double glazed sash windows with argon fill and low e coatings, 15% new thin double glazing with Krypton fill, 25% new triple glazing with argon fill
- 1 set of bay windows overhauled draught stripped and had thin double glazing installed
- 95mm Phenolic external insulation on rear return, 100mm PIR internally on all other original solid walls
- 300+mm mineral wool loft insulation and 200mm EPS in storage area
- Additional 100mm PIR to 1994 flat roof
- 100mm XPS to old solid floor and extension floors. 100mm+ mineral wool or 100mm PIR to old suspended floor
- 100mm mineral wool ceiling insulation for sound and fire purposes only
- Attention to draught proofing
- Single room heat recovery units
- 4 zone heating system and new condensing boiler
- 5m2 solar thermal and 200 litre dual coil cylinder
- 2.25kWp photo voltaic panels
- Most lighting is LED with a few compact fluorescent lamps in low use areas.
- Low energy appliances throughout including LED TV.
- Water saving devices include low flow showerheads and low flush toilets
- Enclosed the side alley to eliminate heat loss through side wall that could not be insulated internally or externally. Also added a rear infill extension.
- Wood burning stove installed and used regularly
Upcoming events
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What visitors are saying
"Very interesting and inspiring!""The advice presented was good background information as to what can be achieved."
"I really enjoyed the tour. The house was nice and the guide provided a good level of information!"
Personal story:
Concerns about energy and climate change led to a career change from the City to another degree and then a job at Parity Projects helping homeowners and housing providers work out the best options for their properties.
I’ve also got a young family and wanted to do the best by them too.
Motivations:
We were renting a small damp end of terrace with large bills and mould on the cold walls. We needed a larger house and wanted it to be dry and warm and cheap to run.
Also see:
www.parityprojects.com/chris-blog.htmlProperty background:
The property was originally built in the 1870s and by the time we bought it in 2011 it had old electric storage heaters, a gas fire and a hot water only gas boiler (under 65% efficient). The house was in need of some care and much of the plaster had blown.
As house use has changed, the small kitchen would no longer have met our needs to we decided to extend at the same time.
A second extension enclosed the alley that led to the front door on the side of the house. This effectively stops the heat losses through the very hard to treat side wall.
Key changes made:
We took the house back to brick and joists and built it up again. We rewired and re-plumbed. All fabric elements were insulated, an efficient heating system added with 4 zone control. PV and solar thermal also added.
Benefits of work carried out:
The house is warm and dry. Although we haven’t finished plugging all the holes yet, the bills are keeping low.
Favourite feature:
Internally insulated walls. Rooms keep nice and warm, there are no damp patches and rooms heat up quickly (often with just bodies in them!)