Renovating New House

Doozergirl

I did a bit of research into ASHP for a reasonably sized new build house. As the cost of installation is pretty attractive against potential savings. When the temperature drops to a level that you really need heat, throughout winter, I have read quite a lot of evidence that they don't provide the heat needed, and certainly not at low cost. They don't really seem to suit our climate. In a huge Victorian house, even with high levels of SWI, mixed with some single glazing, it's going to struggle.

"When outside air temperature is above 7°C, a reasonable air-source heat pump will operate at COP 3.2 when delivering space heating to underfloor heating. But Met Office data shows that the average UK temperature from November to March (from 1971 to 2001) is consistently below 7°C – the monthly average varies from 4.2°C to 6.9°C – so the COP of the heat pump when we actually want to use it is likely to be lower than advertised. The actual operating COP will be closer to 2.8, allowing that it will vary as outside air temperature will vary. In this case the heat pump will need 3,928kWh of electricity for space heating at a cost of £510. If the heat pump is set up to produce DHW in the same way as for the ground source then we must add £460 to running costs, giving a total of £970 per year. That is a reduction in running costs of just 3.5% compared to a gas boiler."

See more at: http://www.homebuilding.co.uk/advice/key-choices/green/real-cost-heat-pumps#sthash.a1GNGOHn.dpuf

Figures based on 200 square metre house built post-2010 to building regs.

The Renewable Heat incentive was launched on 9th April for different forms of renewable heat.
http://www.homebuilding.co.uk/advice/key-choices/green/renewable-heat-incentive-guide
What might be more suitable for the house is a biomass boiler. With all renewable heat, careful homeowork is needed on installation costs versus potential payback over the time you stay in the house.

Doozergirl

I've also just thought about the cornicing on the external walls. Not a problem in the loft, but insulation is going to go over it. To keep it, you're going to have to commission new cornice for the external walls.

There is a big toss up between conservation and energy saving measures. In a listed building, the conservation officer gets a trump card over building regulations.

Solar panels, I think are also going to need planning permission. The conservation officer may be relaxed about them in your area at the back of the house, but it is definitely worth a phone call. If the panels are contentious, then don't put it in with the change if use in one application as if they turn down one, they will turn down all.

lackingwedge

Thanks for the reply captainhindsight. I guess I will have to wait until i get all the numbers and then crunch them together and see what is most efficient over a 7 year span. If the TCO of renewables is competitive over a traditional system, i'll go for that. Ditto for green deal insulation over doing it myself.

Doozergirl. i was up til 3am this morning reading up about renewables, RHI, Green deal etc and it would seem that UFH and ASHP is only negligibly cheaper than a conventional gas system when you measure over a year.

What will tip the balance is the RHI and if that can bridge the gap between the respective installation costs. If it is less than 10K then its worth it, more than 12k then it becomes difficult to justify.

As for the cornices, it did occur to me and that would me changing the cornices for the ground floor front and the first floor. I had a quick look online and they are going for £4 a metre up which will add up for a house of my size.

lackingwedge

I have the conservation officer coming to Visit on Friday to advise\instruct what we can and cannot do.

Got a Green deal assessor coming in next Tuesday so hopefully by the end of next week will know if the insulation grants via Green deal are worth it.

Had most of the stud walls knocked out now and the place is looking amazing, so many of the original features such as the high walls etc have just been boarded up. A great job done by the builder

Everything so far is within budget besides:
The cellar being lined with Asbestolux boarding which is looking pretty expensive to remove. I rang the council and they will dispose of it for £75. It will be my responsibility to remove and bag it though. Getting quotes for this is proving difficult.

Electrical wiring. I had budgeted 5k for a full rewire, had a couple of Quotes and they are looking at around 10K although i have requested Smoke alarms on every floor plus an alarm system. as well as security lights (see if that quote fair thread i set up).

Slowly but surely its taking shape. Thanks for all the advice here and the help......

ruben93watson

Nice house. I loved it. As far as insulation is concerned I suggest you to have a word with an expert to get the right feedback.

lackingwedge

Here is a link to the property, I'll upload and sort out pictures to show the progress of the work being done.

Link