Heating for the future - do I need to start saving now? Heat Pumps?

QrizB

greenpanda said:

Thanks for all the replies. Looking at what I'd need to do (new windows, internal insulation to solid walls, underfloor insulation) the cost is likely going to be around £30k if not more. Cam everyone really afford this?! 

We're back to cost-benefit. You can improve your home and save money on heating, or you can spend the money on your energy bills instead.

And most people won't need all of those things. You're starting with a Victorian terrace. Properties have had cavity walls for a century, and new-builds have had cavity insulation for 40 years.

Verdigris

I recommend reading Heat Pumps For The Home by John Cantor. Gives a good overview of the subject, at various levels of technical detail, to suit most readers.

FreeBear

greenpanda said:

Thanks for all the replies. Looking at what I'd need to do (new windows, internal insulation to solid walls, underfloor insulation) the cost is likely going to be around £30k if not more. Cam everyone really afford this?! 

Depends on how much of the work you want/can do yourself - I'm currently in the process of replacing all my windows and adding internal wall insulation as I go. Budgeting £1-2K per room which includes redecorating and doing the bulk of the work myself.

greenpanda

@FreeBear - what kind of internal wall insulation are you adding yourself? I'm assuming we will need to get skimming on top of whatever we put up

FreeBear

Using multiple layers of a Celotex type board. All joints are filled, taped, and subsequent layers offset. The thinking is the aluminium facing acts as a vapour control membrane, so multiple layers will limit any interstitial condensation. Using the warm batten method which avoids any cold bridging via fixings, and wrapping the insulation around the window reveals - Limited to 25mm in the reveals, but something is better than nothing.

Plasterboard on top, and then had the walls & ceiling skimmed - Had removed the old plaster & lath ceiling and pushed a layer of loft insulation up between the joists. No more cold spots around the perimeter of the external walls 

Only done a box room so far, and some rough calculations suggests that I need ~120Wh to maintain a constant temperature when it is freezing outside. Popped a fan heater in there a week or so back, and I estimate I'm using around 60-100Wh of electricity.

markin

The quick way is to slap up insulated plasterboard with glue, or 30mm first and then a 80mm plasterboard to overlap joints