Warm boot recommendations please

[Tina C]

OH has got a bee in his bonnet about energy saving measures - strange that its me that has to do the research...

 

Anyway as you can get grants he has started requesting quotes for cavity wall insulation and new loft insulation.

 

Anyone had experience of having cavity wall insulation done? It seems a good idea but is there a downside?

 

We have a 1950s detached, still with the original wooden single-glazed windows. We are getting a lot of condensation at the moment and I am wondering if that would get even worse?

 

The windows have to stay as they are for the time being as I refuse to have uvpc replacements (I don't like the 'sealed' feeling you get - I like a draughty house!) and we can't afford our numerous big windows to be done in double glazed wood frames.

 

Any advice on whether this would be a good investment (about £800 for walls and loft insulation) very welcome.

[Christian]

Out house is a semi detached old stockman's cottage with an extension and they quoted £300 for cavity wall insulation. Thought this was a bargain, but the local council do subsidise this. The house is definately warmer (you wouldn't know at the moment-brrrrrr). We do have double glazing throughout the house so not sure about your condensation problem, but the house is never as cold when i get back form a trip as it used to be.

 

Speak to the 'fitters' and ask about condensation. I suppose you would get more as the house is warmer?

[Cinnamon]

We have a 1950s detached, still with the original wooden single-glazed windows. We are getting a lot of condensation at the moment and I am wondering if that would get even worse?

 

The windows have to stay as they are for the time being as I refuse to have uvpc replacements (I don't like the 'sealed' feeling you get - I like a draughty house!) and we can't afford our numerous big windows to be done in double glazed wood frames.

 

 

Can't help with the cavity wall thing, but we run a double glazing company,so know a bit about condensation.

The reason you are getting it is because your house is very well sealed at the moment.There are no little cracks around the windows to let a draught in.

So,if you open the window a tiny amont,the problem will go.Its especially prevelant in bedrooms,where you can have 2 people breathing all night.We ALWAYS have our windows on vent to prevent an attack of the drips!

 

Newer windows now have a built in vent in the upper frame to allow for air flow.Its a law to have these windows on any new bulidings or extenstions on old buildings now.

 

The amount of poeple who we fir double glazed windows for who then complain that they have a condensation problem,when its actually because the house is better insulated than it was

 

CWI should only warm the walls,& not make any difference to the windows,which only drip because they are so well insulated at the moment.

 

Anyhow,I hope this helps

[Guest]

My parents had cavity wall insulation done years ago and always thought it was worthwhile. Mum wanted it done on her bathroom (in the annexe) as its a freezing room sort of bolted on the edge of the house and she only has a very expensive to run wall heater in there. She got them in to do a quote and with the grants it works out just £150 more to do the WHOLE PROPERTY - her annexe and my 4 bed house. She wouldn't get any grants for just doing her little bathroom but will get loads for doing the whole place. I just shrugged and said "OK but I'm broke!".

 

Mind you I wish it was done now, its chilly in here and I WILL NOT put the heating on during the daytime when I'm here alone, I'm wearing a fleece and a quilt at the moment.

[Jules.]

you should be in that washing powder advert- having a duvet day

[theherd123]

@ Jules!

 

Tina i dont know much about CWI however i recently saw a programme about the spray on roof insulation and it was not a pretty picture - tiles pushed out of place, leaking roof after it had been done etc. I think traditional lagging is maybe the best option.