Motivations:

All of our family are interested in environmental issues including household energy efficiency, the countryside and wildlife. I also find DIY, using recycled products where possible, practical and fulfilling and a relaxation from my job as a management consultant. We have carried out the energy saving refit of our house for several reasons including comfort (a warm house is more comfortable than a cold house) plus doing the right thing in terms of reducing our carbon emissions. The energy efficiency renovation process has also been very interesting and satisfying. Helping others to reduce their emissions in a cost effective manner, including avoiding some of the blind alleys we went down, is also very rewarding

Property background:

1900 Edwardian end of terrace property over 3 floors including attic. All original features including sash windows and two working fireplaces now with wood burning stoves.

Key changes made:

All windows with secondary glazing.
All internal faces of external walls with internal wall insulation.
Underfloor sheeps wool insulation.
2 wood burning stoves (main one on ground floor).
Solar hot water.
New high efficiency gas boiler.
Continuous running heat recovery fan in bathroom.

Measures installed in detail:

• Wooden suspended floors with 80mm ‘Thermafleece’ sheeps wool insulation & boarding
• All internal faces of external walls insulated with 10mm ‘Sempatap’ internal wall insulation
• Attic roof insulation of 100mm Kingspan, plasterboard plus 10mm ‘Sempatap’
• Refurbished sash windows with ‘Magneglaze’ secondary glazing on all windows
• Draft reduction through double doors to attic (& letter box!), heavy curtains,
• New condensing boiler, replaced old 15-20 year old boiler. TRVs added.
• Two wood burning stoves (‘Clearview Vision’ in living room heats whole house)
• 2 x 2m2 solar panels for thermal hot water with large well insulated tank (‘AOS Solar’)
• Continuous running low energy fan in bathroom (‘Vent Axia – Lo Carbon’)
• Low energy lighting throughout
• Water saving devices include; low flow shower, low flow washers in most taps
• Living wall, living roof, pond and vegetables in garden plus pallet shed with green roof from recycled carpet (Green Roof Options)

Benefits of work carried out:

The main benefit of the refurbishment is that now the whole house is always warm and comfortable without being too stuffy or humid. We only need the central heating during mid winter and then for all 15 mins in the morning and mid afternoon. Cutting wood for the stove is also fun. The continuous running fan provides adequate ventilation and prevents condensation.

Favourite feature:

We enjoy the stoves the most including procuring, cutting, splitting and storing the wood. We use a mix of waste wood and tree surgeon trimmings. The main stove provides a focal point for the house and heats the whole house (including the bedrooms) without the need for a fan or use of the separate central heating system. Wood storage needs to be planned well in advance with logs split and aired for at least 12 months before burning. We use a moisture meter to ensure an efficient burn.

Project update:

At the moment we have just finished the garden shed made from pallets and with a green roof using recycled wool carpets.

Have had thermal image survey of whole house (inside and out) and now addressing the cold spots.

Updated on 04/12/2012

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