Renovating a house - energy efficiency and quality

Spiderroo

We're buying a house and our survey has come back with two big jobs; a full rewire and a new roof. It also had warnings about the heating system (pretty old) and we'd like to replace our boiler and water tank with a combi boiler. 

We've got a fair chunk of money saved up to afford this work and our seller is happy to negotiate on the price so...if you were going to be doing major work like this, what would you choose to make it energy efficient, environmentally friendly and long lasting? It seems foolish to do such intense work (floorboards up, roof off, etc) and not take the opportunity to make sure the house is ready for the future and rising prices. 

We've always lived in flats before so our knowledge is pretty limited. I did try looking online but a lot of stuff is conflicting or comes from suppliers who have a vested interest in selling their solution! 

aoleks

I would install underfloor heating downstairs, getting rid of most pipework and radiators, install a latest generation gas boiler (most people will say heat pump, I'm not convinced yet), floor insulation, wall insulation, loft insulation, LED lighting all round and that's about it.

Alter_ego

Insulate, Insulate, Insulate

Ectophile

If you're replacing radiators, go for larger more efficient ones.  With a condensing gas boiler, you can run it at a lower temperature, which makes it more efficient.  Then when new gas boilers are banned, you can still use the same radiators with a heat pump.

BUFF

How old is the building & how constructed? If it's traditional https://www.historicenvironment.scot/archives-and-research/publications/publication/?publicationid=47c9f2eb-1ade-4a76-a775-add0008972f3 If it works up here it will work in the South.

1. insulate - energy not used is the best saving. Loft, walls, double/triple-glazing if it needs it or replacing etc.
2. with consideration that in the next replacement cycle a heatpump may be your only option design this heating system with that in mind. You may not want to go combi but retain a hot water cylinder & size pipes & radiators/UFH appropriate for heatpump use (larger than with a gas boiler). Load & weather-compensating controls - they will pay for themselves over the life of the boiler.

FreeBear

Alter_ego said: Insulate, Insulate, Insulate

And plug the gaps that are a source of cold draughts. - Some of the gaps that need plugging may not be immediately obvious - Just had some new windows fitted (today), and there was a gap along the top of the old frames that you could get your finger through. The only thing plugging the gap was old birds nests & other assorted debris that had collected in the eaves.

When I'm done, there will 25mm+ of Kingspan around the reveals, and 75mm on the walls internally.