new windows or loft insulation?

ormus

loft, windows, & walls, in that order.
not only is doing your loft the most effecient way of saving energy , its also the cheapest and has quickest payback time.

wallbash

loft, windows, & walls, in that order.

Could I suggest lagging the hot water tank is first on the list.

savemoney

1st roof insulation
2nd cavity walls assuming you have them
2.5 draft proofing around doors windows
3rd DG

The first two you get your money back in 2-3 years DG it will take very much longer

Fair enough if they are rotten then DG will be better but 1 and 2 first as payback is much quicker and you loose more from the walls/roof then through windows, think about it the surface area windows/doors are a small fraction of the total area

border_collie

Thick curtains, lined and interlined with thermal stuff. Closed before dusk and tucked behind rads are as good as new windows.

And pvc windows aren't good for the planet.

fluffymuffy

I'd go for draughtproofing first. That stickyback foam strip that comes on a roll. Put it in your external door jams and the opening lights of your windows. (Not sure how to draughtproof sash windows - try a search). Put it around your loft hatch too. Then there's a flap you can get for your letterbox and escutchions for any mortice locks. These are cheap and quick DIY jobs that your granny could manage.

Then I'd do loft insulation - could be a DIY job. They sell it in fully seald strips now - don't know what it costs but it's worth considering to keep the dust fibres down. I'd be using Celotex.

Then cavity wall, condensing boiler, then double glazing.

My list runs in order of payback against initial cost.

Here's the government's Energy Saving Trust list - http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/home_improvements/home_insulation_glazing

ic

fluffymuffy wrote: »

Then I'd do loft insulation - could be a DIY job.

With all the grants available, it just isn't worth the bother of DIYing the loft insulation. By getting somebody in you have a guarantee that the work is done correctly, their insurance will cover them if they come crashing through the ceiling (though you'd hope they won't as they've done it before), and they're the ones that get dirty and itchy! My house cost £150 to insulate the loft through my supplier (Southern Electric). It takes the guys less than an hour.

Check the EST website for grants that are available before deciding to go down the DIY route.

vivatifosi

I agree with fluffymuffy on that list. The roof is the big job, but it has to be done as an uninsulated loft is almost as good a way of chucking heat away as a patio heater. But the other stuff can be done so cheaply - especially draught proofing (fluffymuffy you can use rope caulk for sash windows, but make sure you have an alternative route of escape once you've sealed the windows for the winter). My dad, who granted is a builder, has made his own secondary glazing using large perspex sheets and wooden strips fixed to the windows. Alternatively you could look into the film that you seal over the window. There's also a thread on one of the other boards about winter proofing houses where people have been buying cheap fleeces to line their curtains for winter and all kinds of other quirky ideas. Have a look here:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=531601

luverlyjuberly

Quote: there's also a thread on one of the other boards about winter proofing houses where people have been buying cheap fleeces to line their curtains for winter and all kinds of other quirky ideas.


Au Naturale, Furniture shop is selling fleece blankets for £1.99 if you have one in your area. thanks for tip that my bedroom and living room sorted.