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Your warm winter checklist
Want to save energy, and stay warm, but don't know where to start?
Here are the key things to think about this winter.
Draughts and other obvious problems
If your front door doesn't fit properly or you have windows that don't close, these are super priority fixes. Most can be remedied easily by a handyperson, while others may require a specialist carpenter. There are plenty of both on the HGS RA Tradespersons list.
If you want to track down draughts more scientifically, then the HGS REACH Infrared camera loan scheme can help. (More info here.) For example, below is an image of a brand-new, Trust-approved double-glazed window with faulty draught proofing (the dark patch on the right). The homeowner made one call to the manufacturer, and they sent someone around to fix it.
And don't overlook the hot air scooting up your chimney. Chimney draught excluders, such as the Chimney Sheep (available on Amazon, find the one that fits your flue), will stop this while still allowing some air circulation.
Pay attention to basics like draught excluders and thick curtains. Insulating foil behind radiators on external walls has a very modest impact (less than 1%), but it's only £20 a roll, so it's worth doing.
Lastly, there are ‘thermal rolls’ available that are like insulated wallpaper (shown left).
This has fantastic insulation properties. Google “Wallrock thermal liner” for more info.
Loft insulation
If you have an empty loft (or one used only for storage) and no insulation, then you are wasting ££ every day. Data from Nesta, the innovation charity, shows that upgrading a completely uninsulated loft to the government-recommended 300mm insulation should reduce heating bills by as much as 28%. A local handyperson should be able to do this. The payback time will be short.
Google “Thermafleece CosyWool Sheeps Wool Loft Insulation”, which is a natural alternative to synthetic rolls (see left). It doesn’t contain glass fibres and the smell dissipates quickly.
The savings are much less dramatic if you have some old insulation, such as 100mm, which is a long way short of the recommended 300mm but much better than nothing. If your loft has insulation has this kind of OKish insulation then make other fixes before rupgrading it.
If your loft is a living space and was converted recently, it should be well-insulated in the rafters. If it's an old conversation, however, the insulation may be very poor. A builder can remove tiles externally and insert insulation, but this will require scaffolding, which is a serious job. You may also be able to access and insulate parts hidden by cupboards or plasterboards.
AVOID spray-on foam insulation. This can severely damage your home and cannot easily be reversed (read this parliamentary briefing for just one reason not to use it).
Windows
Some HGS residents think that because of HGS Trust, they are doomed to live in a home with single-glazed windows that leak heat and get covered in condensation every morning. However, as the HGS Trust retrofit guide clarifies (on the HGS Trust web site), this is untrue.
For many houses, the straightforward solution is secondary glazing — and HGS Reach has two videos (here and here). If you want a firm to install for you, many HGS residents have used Windowskins, which will offer a 5% discount if you mention HGS REACH when ordering.
It's difficult to estimate the payback for secondary glazing as its thermal properties can be quite varied. But most people think it makes a massive difference in liveability — seats near windows will be appreciably warmer, and condensation will be eliminated. Even a large window may only cost just £500.
Getting heritage double glazing is more complex and expensive and may involve a few months' wait while it gets manufactured. The Trust retrofit guide has more info about the approval process.
Payback time for double glazing will be much longer than for single-glazed, but many people think it enhances the value of their house. If the existing windows are of poor quality, a double-glazing upgrade will also reduce the need for frequent filling and repairing.
Running your heating more efficiently
Many smaller homes in HGS are heated by new, efficient condensing gas boilers that don't need a water tank (combi boilers). However, many combis are set up so they fail to reach maximum efficiency. In short, installers often set new boilers to produce water for central heating that is 70°C or higher, which means they can't operate in their most efficient "condensing mode".
Innovation charity Nesta (in association with Which?) has an easy visual guide on adjusting the temperature of your gas boiler to save as much as 5% energy and reduce your CO2 footprint.And your home will be the same temperature. It's here.
(Nesta notes this should be done with care if you have people in your home who have asthma, heart conditions, arthritis, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia or other conditions that make them vulnerable to cold.)
Also, some boilers have a "preheat" facility that keeps a bit of water warm at all times to speed heating-up times. If you're prepared to wait 10 seconds for hot water, you can save as much as 0.8% off your gas bill by switching this off.
Thermostatic smart zonal valves on radiators can also make a difference. They only cost £20 each, but obviously, a plumber will need to install them.
Get smart
Intelligent heating controls such as Google Nest and Hive can make a big difference for homes that can cool during the day and warm up in the evening. Nesta says they can cut energy bills by 5% — pretty good for a £200 gadget. However, the impact is less for a home occupied all day.
Not all intelligent controls do the same things. More advanced ones (such as the Google Nest V3) can work with newer boilers to gently increase or reduce the heat to your home instead of just switching the boiler on and off.
This means your bills will be lower, and the boiler will last longer. (Technical info here.) If you're getting a new boiler, ask your installer which boiler/control combination will reduce your bills the most.
Photo: Pixabay
And what next?
If you've done all these, your home should already be on the way to becoming snug and energy efficient. There's still more to do, but these next steps potentially mean more significant disruption. Options include underfloor insulation and interior wall insulation. You should take professional advice on both these. Your advisor should explain the economics of each option.
There are 250,000 homes in the UK kept warm with a low-carbon heat pump - should yours be next?
Come to the HGS REACH information evening and hear four experts explain the pros and cons of this greener, cleaner heating technology. In HGS a couple of homes a month are making the switch and heat pumps feature in the new HGS Trust retrofitting guide.
Our experts include three, yes three, HGS residents with heat pumps who can speak about life without a gas boiler, plus an installer from Econic who have surveyed multiple properties in the Suburb for heat pump installation.
They will talk about how heat pumps can slash your carbon footprint, the economics, and the practical issues around installation. Plus there will be a Q&A.
When: November 28, 8pm
Where: Fellowship House, Willifield Way
Cost: Free to RA members (others can join on the door)
Article created:24th September 2024