Insulation is the first area to check and, if needed, improve to reduce your energy demand. You may have recommendations for further insulation on your Energy Performance Certificate. Most houses have one of these now as they are needed for house sales (starting in 2007). If you don’t have yours to hand, you should be able to find it in the government on-line register.
You do not need to have insulation to the highest ‘passivhaus’ standards to make energy savings or install a heat pump. Simple and lower cost things will all help.
Newer houses are likely to be better insulated than older ones. Brand new houses should be excellent already.
Areas to check include:
- loft insulation – may need to be topped-up in older houses. If you have or want boarding in your loft, there are various systems available to lift the boarding above the insulation as the insulation is likely to be much thicker than your joists. If you are planning a warm loft, with insulation in the rafters, check carefully on the latest about insulation, installation and resale of your house as there have been problems
- wall insulation, in the wall cavity, or solid wall (insulation can be added inside or outside). It is important that this is properly installed
- floors in older houses might not be insulated, so there is potential for improvement there too
- look to reduce draughts around windows, doors, fireplaces and similar. SW draughtbusters may be able to help. Check to see if you can seal air vents installed for gas heating/cooking if you no longer use this. You need to balance sealing your house to reduce heat loss with ventilation to refresh the air and prevent damp. You are likely to have some ventilation in newer windows with trickle vents
If you are installing a heat pump to replace gas or oil, you may benefit from a change of approach away from heating in individual rooms with a thermostat in each to having your whole house at a steady temperature. You will be storing heat in the fabric of the house, so you should think about how to insulate around the outside walls of your house.
Find out more:
Energy Saving Trust – Reducing home heat loss
Centre for Alternative Technology – Eco-renovation
Low Carbon Oxford North – housewarming
Cosy Homes Oxfordshire – energy efficiency for home owners