Where to start the journey to energy efficient home

ArbitraryRandom

Interesting  

In that case, I'd be tempted to get the loft insulation (if you can find someone local to fit you might find it doesn't cost much more than the £500 and will save you money this winter. 

Then you can apply for the £7.5k government boiler upgrade scheme at a later point, and have knocked one of the qualifying criteria on the head. 

markin

The more air tight we makes homes the more important extractors in the bathroom and kitchen are, But your new windows should have vents anyway.

The costs for loft insulation is usually based on a top up, it will cost more if the is none or only 50mm that should maybe just be removed.

Emily_Joy

We are planning to sort out loft insulation between Xmas and New Year. However, it looks like the loft entrance is the constant source of cold air coming into the house. What would you do to fix the problem? Going forward, the loft will be used for long-term storage, ie. for items we use once in a few years.

QrizB

How are your budget, DIY skills and ambition? You could replace the entire loft hatch with an insulated and draughtproof unit?

Here are examples (other retailers are available):

https://www.screwfix.com/c/building-doors/loft-hatch/cat850302

FreeBear

QrizB said:

How are your budget, DIY skills and ambition? You could replace the entire loft hatch with an insulated and draughtproof unit?

Here are examples (other retailers are available):

https://www.screwfix.com/c/building-doors/loft-hatch/cat850302

Originally had a lift up timber loft hatch. Cold draught coming in round the edges despite having brush seals fitted.. Replaced last year with the Manthorpe GL260, and it made an instant improvement. Had to get creative cutting filler strips as the hatch was ~40mm smaller than the hole, but much easier than making the hole bigger.

Emily_Joy

QrizB said:

How are your budget, DIY skills and ambition? You could replace the entire loft hatch with an insulated and draughtproof unit?

Here are examples (other retailers are available):

https://www.screwfix.com/c/building-doors/loft-hatch/cat850302

Thanks - I was initially thinking of sticking something in to fill the gaps till we get around doing the loft, but this should be an easier and better solution.

Alnat1

Have a look at loft legs and some loft boards for building a small platform over the new insulation to use as a storage area if you're going for the recommended 300mm insulation. We did this recently and found B&Q was the cheapest option for insulation rolls/legs/boards/delivery charge combo.

markin

As its coming on 2 months from the start of the thread i would say DIY skills are 0, Are you having to use a company to claim that £500 and getting cavity's done also?

Shock us with your October Gas bill ?

Emily_Joy

markin said:

As its coming on 2 months from the start of the thread i would say DIY skills are 0, Are you having to use a company to claim that £500 and getting cavity's done also?

Shock us with your October Gas bill ?

Here you go.  EDF, 3 bed semi, gas heating, gas hob, gas oven.

Care to share yours?

markin

Emily_Joy said:

markin said:

As its coming on 2 months from the start of the thread i would say DIY skills are 0, Are you having to use a company to claim that £500 and getting cavity's done also?

Shock us with your October Gas bill ?

Here you go.  EDF, 3 bed semi, gas heating, gas hob, gas oven.

Care to share yours?

Electric heat, a/c unit 38 days 367kwh 9.6 a day average. 95sqm

Hard to compare solid walls vs cavity walls and elec will always be more than Gas.