Why is my house cold?

Zither

Davesnave wrote: »

I think the time it's on makes a difference in the way that the fabric of the house heats up and then releases that heat to some extent, like a giant storage heater. We also have draught-free windows and doors, which may help.

The loft insulation has made the most noticeable improvement here. Prior to 2014 we only had about 100mm, which was then completely removed and Freecycled, because we needed to replace all the ceilings and re-wire. We were 2 years without any insulation at all and we felt it!

If you look at the link below, there's up-to-date info about free loft insulation deals. We got one, and we're too 'rich' to receive any benefits, other than state pension. There's about 270 - 300mm up there now.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/free-cavity-loft-insulation

Yes that makes sense - warm the brickwork up and it radiate out what it stores. It must cost a fortune to leave the heating on to heat it up to that level tho? At least in my house anyway with less efficient components.

I already have insulation in the ceiling - it’s not super modern but is about 10-15cm deep so should be providing ‘a good level’ of insulation?

Thanks for the link - i had a quick look - doesn’t look like I’d be eligible for much - it seems like the days of free energy grants are long gone! I was hoping there might be things like geographical based grants eg top up insulation for areas of high deprivation.... 🙂

sevenhills

Zither wrote: »

Yes that makes sense - warm the brickwork up and it radiate out what it stores. It must cost a fortune to leave the heating on to heat it up to that level tho? At least in my house anyway with less efficient components.

With you living alone in a three bedroom house, that might seem impractical. I close one bedroom door and turn the heating off in that bedroom, do you do that in two bedrooms?

Zither

sevenhills wrote: »

With you living alone in a three bedroom house, that might seem impractical. I close one bedroom door and turn the heating off in that bedroom, do you do that in two bedrooms?

Haha yes I started doing that a couple of nights ago actually. Turned rad off and closed door. The other bedrooms are south facing so I’m a little bit remiss to close the doors to stop and positive heat transfer.

Golly maybe I’ve just got a naturally cold house or just need to spend more keeping it warm

Alter_ego

TheCyclingProgrammer wrote: »

Wow.

It’s a visual effect. You don’t seriously think it’s a real thermal imaging camera? Are you on a wind up? :rotfl:

OK if it's a visual effect, explain why it shows the cold/hot spots around my windows, heat rising from rads etc.

Just panned along the kitchen wall, tiles blue - hot kettle red. Clever effect!

Grenage

Alter_ego wrote: »

Just panned along the kitchen wall, tiles blue - hot kettle red. Clever effect!

Your camera/ipad can't do thermal imaging.

getmore4less

Zither wrote: »

Haha yes I started doing that a couple of nights ago actually. Turned rad off and closed door. The other bedrooms are south facing so I’m a little bit remiss to close the doors to stop and positive heat transfer.

Golly maybe I’ve just got a naturally cold house or just need to spend more keeping it warm

If the closed off bedrooms get very cold they will suck heat from below, but probably less than trying to heat them.

upstairs room won't heat downstairs just the landing, keep the doors closed so any heat is there when you need to use the room.

I still think your main problem is you need to leave the heating on for longer to start with.

post at 10:44pm

Wow 21c! That’s amazing. I turned the heating off here a couple of hours ago and it’s now about 12 degrees inside the house. I appreciate I’ve only had it on for 1.5h ish this evening though compared to your 7h. Can we swap??

lets say on at 7:00pm of at 8:40pm that's not long enough to heat a cold house.

shortcrust

Alter_ego wrote: »

OK if it's a visual effect, explain why it shows the cold/hot spots around my windows, heat rising from rads etc.

Just panned along the kitchen wall, tiles blue - hot kettle red. Clever effect!

Yes it is a clever effect but it is just an effect. Thermal imaging cameras are specialised and expensive bits of kit.

https://discussions.apple.com/message/15529360#15529360#15529360

Gloomendoom

melanzana wrote: »

End of terrace has three outside walls. Just like semis I suppose.

I think the problem was that it was a solid 9" wall with no cavity. At least it had a (slate) damp proof course. If she had stayed, external insulation might have been the best option.

In winter, thick wall are good once they are warmed up. Some of the internal walls are over two feet thick and act like giant, integral storage heaters.

Also get the benefit in the summer. It has been 36°C outside and stayed a pleasant 21°C inside, 14°C in the cellar.

LandyAndy

Zither wrote: »

Thanks - I did wonder this. I wondered if I needed to just leave the heating on one day all day to 'warm the bones' of the house up. After this it might stay at a warmer temp generally (with top ups).

Or have I just made this up in my head?

I don't think you have. A couple of years ago in the depths of winter my CH boiler failed a couple of days before it was due to be replaced so I didn't bother to try and get it repaired. On day 1 after it broke the house stayed quite warm but by the end of day 2 it was seriously cold.

NineDeuce

Zither wrote: »

Thanks!

Yes, I've had a look at the EPC. It's only a C... but again with cavity wall/loft (ceiling) insulation, the only improvements the EPC said was to add rafter insulation. I presume roof rafter AND ceiling insulation would be overkill?

Love the idea of the thermal imaging camera! I'd feel a bit cheeky using it and then just returning it though? Wouldnt they say no to returning it if it doesn't identify anything?

TY!

Z

A C rating is decent enough rating. However the EPC does not take into account the way you are actually using the house nor any faults or cracks.

Therefore, you either have a faulty heating system, a lot of draught, gaps in insulation, or the weather is just cold.

Otherwise, it could be how you are using the building - not enough heating demand, allowing cold air to enter the building.....