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Improve comfort level and insulation of home

  • 13-08-2024 11:29pm
    #1
    Fol20
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,625 ✭✭✭


    Hi Folks,

    What would your recommendations be on the following house. Im just trying to see what work would have the best impact to ensure the house remains as warm as possible and if some work may not be worth the money. We are currently in the process of planning a refurb so want to do this work now while were doing other work.

    BER info:

    Now VS potential

    Home heat loss indicator: 2.603W vs 2.042W

    External Doors: 2.355W vs 1.555

    Roof Insulation .175W vs .160W

    Wall Insulation .370W vs.270W

    Windows double glazing 3.111W vs 1.400W

    Install closed room heater or stove 25pc vs 50pc

    -House was built in 1979.

    -Beaded insulation installed 10 years ago.

    -Attic insulated 10 years ago.

    -Detached circa 160 sqm.

    -Currently a BER C2.

    -Oil heating, wont be going for a heat pump.

    Questions:

    1.Based on the above info in the BER, is it worth replacing the windows that are circa 25 years old potentially with trickle vents to improve ventilation. Are triple glazed windows much better vs double glazed for comfort?

    2.Bead insulation was already installed. Is it worth doing internal insulation boards to improve the heat retention or is this throwing money away given the cost.We cant do external insulation given the facade.

    3.Attic could be re-insulated however i think the average insulation at present is circa 250mm.

    4.There is currently an open fire place in there, what would be best to put in there, an wood burning stove with a flute maybe? Would brick

    5.Is there any actions around airtightness we could implment to improve it.

    6.Will external doors have a meaningful impact on heat, we currently have two doors along with a patio door leading to a conservatory.

    7.Let me know if you did anything else to improve the comfort level.



Comments

  • #2
    MicktheMan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,846 ✭✭✭MicktheMan


    1. Window trickle vents and 'hole in wall' vents are a poor choice for our mild winter climate. Continuous mechanical ventilation is far superior in most cases. Not all triple glazed are the same but the better TG is far better for comfort (eliminates -ve radiation effects on our skin). Depends on extent of other heat loss weaknesses to determine whether worth changing
    2. I wouldn't. You will lose thermal mass as well as introduce the risk of interstitial condensation/damp/mould. You lose internal area and is also very disruptive. Besides, conductive heat loss may not be you primary heat loss mechanism.
    3. It depends on how well the insulation was installed originally
    4. Stove is far more efficient than open fire. What do yo u mean by 'flute'?
    5. Likely, air tightness weaknesses may well be you biggest opportunities in combination with appropriate ventilation
    6. Without testing, nobody can say

    Have you considered having a full heatloss survey (thermal imaging / air tightness testing etc) carried out to get definitive answers to your questions. Ime, the BER is not to be relied upon for these kinds of decisions.



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