Opening doors to low energy refurbishment
SuperHome Database
London, Kingston, Woodbines Avenue
House Summary
Owner(s):
Martin and Veronica BirleyHouse Type:
1910 Edwardian, Arts and Crafts styleCarbon saving:
65%Total invested:
£20000
Measures installed:
- Some secondary glazing, some A rated new double glazing
- Draught stripped
- External cladding, 50mm Kingspan Celotex
- 50mm Kingspan Celotex & 100mm mineral wool roof insulation
- One room has mechanical heat recovery system
- Condensing boiler with hw cylinder. TRVs, programmer and thermostat. Wood stove providing 5% zone 1 heating. 2 zones
- 1.23 KWpeak Photo Voltaic panels
- Low energy Lighting throughout
- Low energy appliances throughout
- Water saving devices include; harvesting rainwater and shower water
- Other measures in place; Bikes, electric bike, bike trailer. Hollow plastic tiling in shower. Thermal lining on curtains. Chimney balloon.
Upcoming events
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What visitors are saying
"Friendly welcome - very interesting talk. Changes made to this age of house which would work on mine."“Very friendly and helpful host- impressive range of improvements.”
“Very interesting and inspiring.”
"The owner presented a range of ideas... demonstrating that meaningful improvements can be made in a home you are already living in rather than gutting a house and starting from scratch. He provided a very useful page of take away info - ideas, suppliers, materials"
Personal story:
I have a phd in ecology and a lifetime of work in international public health. I am a founder member of TransitionTown Kingston and a winner of the green guardian s.w. London award.
Motivations:
We are very concerned about climate change and about energy scarcity. As well as domestic energy, we try to change our travel and eating habits. We have reduced car use by about 80%.
Property background:
1910 arts and crafts semi on three floors without cavity walls in desirable location.
Key changes made:
External cladding
PV on roof
Draft proofing
Low energy lights and white goods
Mechanical heat recovery in bathroom
Lowering thermostat
Benefits of work carried out:
External clashing reduced gas consumption by 23-30%, still finding out exact figure. Pv panels reduced electricity consumption by about 25%, we only have small roof area available. Return on investment for pvs is 10%.
There is still much more refurbished to do!
Favourite feature:
External cladding makes house cozy
Project update:
Chimney damper. Hard to find anyone who can make and install it.
Thinking about a more intelligent thermostat.
Updated on 14/01/2013