Tue, 19 May 2026 16:47:57 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18145&Focus=306036#Comment_306036 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18145&Focus=306036#Comment_306036 Fri, 14 Jun 2024 21:30:08 +0100 Victorianeco
Current spec. appears to be:
- 24mm DGU's, ~20-25 years old, numerous failed units
- Cavity wall - unsure if insulated
- Loft insulation ~250mm mineral wool
- Heating is a gas system boiler, gravity fed tank system with single radiators in every room
- Ground floor uninsulated

We would like to upgrade a lot of things and add a rear single storey extension but just wondering the best order to plan this project as we are also living in it?

On our list in a rough (what I think) order;
- Cavity insulation if not done so (EPS beads) any grants available?
- Insulate heating cylinder and lag pipework
- Installation of ASHP and cylinder - keep gas for now also?
- Take up ground floor, insulate and install wet UFH
- Remove all upstairs rads?
- Open up existing window openings for new designs/layout (assume EPS beads will stay in place being the newer glued type?)
- Install double/triple windows faced on outside skin
- EWI to front elevation
- Rear extension (block on flat with EWI) and knockthrough
- Double/triple glazing to rear and side elevations
- EWI to rear and side elevations
- Replacement roof with solar panels (South facing)

We need to do it in phases as we're going to be living here and we are also in no rush financially or stress wise to jump all in

What experiences do people have they can share? Or would you do the above in a different order perhaps? Maybe jump straight into the roof work to take advantage of solar power etc?

Thoughts appreciated

House link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B-VpHGUqUlascnhMbsdKpxQxifg7WSUV/view?usp=drivesdk]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18145&Focus=306044#Comment_306044 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18145&Focus=306044#Comment_306044 Sun, 16 Jun 2024 10:44:19 +0100 WillInAberdeen
1 heat pump - the single best way to decarbonise

2 smart energy tariffs/meters/controls - buy energy when it is greenest: sunny afternoons, windy weekends

3 quick wins - draught proofing, loft insulation, cavity insulation

4 solar PV with battery -

5 fabric upgrades - EWI, underfloor insulation etc. May not payback in carbon or cost, so consider this as comfort/luxury


https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/fabric-fifth-nigel-banks-riofe/

https://journal-buildingscities.org/articles/10.5334/bc.388]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18145&Focus=306046#Comment_306046 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18145&Focus=306046#Comment_306046 Sun, 16 Jun 2024 13:07:08 +0100 djh Posted By: WillInAberdeenThe new mantra is "Fabric Fifth".I think that's a little simplistic. For example, retrofitting a heat pump in a house without improving the fabric first will result in a larger (more expensive) heat pump being needed with consequent worse performance and greater running costs. As the abstract itself says "The suitability of a heat-pump-only approach to building decarbonisation should therefore be decided building by building."

Given the greater running costs resulting from a failure to carry out fabric upgrades, I don't think they're simply a matter of comfort or luxury.

I do think having an outline timetable for all the work is a good idea, to make sure it's compatible with climate necessities. In Gareth's case, I would probably delay installing a heat pump until the fabric improvements are done so changes to the heating system can be made once, and so the latest generation of heat pumps can be bought. But a lot depends on the overall timetable.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18145&Focus=306050#Comment_306050 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18145&Focus=306050#Comment_306050 Sun, 16 Jun 2024 22:15:34 +0100 Victorianeco
I really liked our Mitsubishi Ecodan in my last home (self installed). I'll see if I can qualify for the £7500 grant but I guess prices will be over inflated as with any scheme....

The current gas system boiler is 24 years old... With a gravity fed system. I think changing this out as a priority will give me the biggest bang for buck.

Any recommended brands these days? The last one was Mitsubishi Ecodan and a Kingspan 210 litre cylinder. Had no issues in 10 years running that one. And best website for heat pump sizing?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18145&Focus=306055#Comment_306055 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18145&Focus=306055#Comment_306055 Mon, 17 Jun 2024 09:25:05 +0100 Doubting_Thomas Posted By: VictorianecoAnd best website for heat pump sizing?

I really rate Heat Punk (https://heatpunk.co.uk/home) as a simple resource for drawing your building out and determining the heat demand etc.

Caveat: I don't have a heat pump myself, but I have played around with the interface and it is very user friendly.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18145&Focus=306153#Comment_306153 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18145&Focus=306153#Comment_306153 Tue, 02 Jul 2024 22:50:00 +0100 Mike1 Posted By: VictorianecoWe would like to upgrade a lot of things and add a rear single storey extension but just wondering the best order to plan this project as we are also living in it?I've done a couple while living in them - it's not easy. Consequently I'd split the place into phases so that not everywhere is being worked on at once, rather than prioritising particular bits of kit.

I'd consider doing the extension first so you have more space to play with, followed by works that affect the external envelope (roof tiles, external insulation, glazing). Then probably live mainly upstairs while upgrading the downstairs, then finish with the upper floor.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18145&Focus=306179#Comment_306179 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18145&Focus=306179#Comment_306179 Sat, 06 Jul 2024 09:23:51 +0100 Victorianeco
This has meant raising the existing sockets so w are essentially going to rewire upstairs at the same time.

While the flooring will be up in going to put new pipework in ready for the ASHP (quote of £4k for Samsung unit and pre plumbed cylinder supplied and fitted) Will get a few extra quotes as this does seem high given that residue aren't included or electric supply or removal of the old system...

Would you run the main circuit in 22mm and rads at 15mm? We have this sad the existing arrangement but I can see going from a gravity fed system to pressurised will end in leaks somewhere.

Would you even use rads?? Maybe go for air to air heat pump on the landing area and just rads downstairs? Or how about plinth heaters coming out of the floor?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18145&Focus=306243#Comment_306243 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18145&Focus=306243#Comment_306243 Sat, 13 Jul 2024 12:38:57 +0100 Mike1 Posted By: VictorianecoWould you even use rads?? Maybe go for air to air heat pump on the landing area and just rads downstairs? Or how about plinth heaters coming out of the floor?My preference would be UFCH or air-to-air heat pump. You need to get it designed rather than guessing on sizes though - ideally for the future insulation & airtightness levels, rather than current ones, though that may mean some top-up heating until you finish.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18145&Focus=306250#Comment_306250 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18145&Focus=306250#Comment_306250 Sun, 14 Jul 2024 10:44:43 +0100 Victorianeco
Thoughts?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18145&Focus=306255#Comment_306255 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18145&Focus=306255#Comment_306255 Sun, 14 Jul 2024 18:54:39 +0100 Mike1 Posted By: VictorianecoHow would A2A work in a multi room property and hot water? I really don't think A2A is good for anything other than a small flat or 1 down/1 up type property
By definition, air-to-air wouldn't heat water, so you'd need a separate solution for that.

However there's no problem heating houses or bigger buildings with them, provided the sizing is correct. See, for starters:
https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/air-to-air-heat-pumps/]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18145&Focus=306256#Comment_306256 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18145&Focus=306256#Comment_306256 Sun, 14 Jul 2024 20:33:39 +0100 Nick Parsons https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18145&Focus=306257#Comment_306257 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18145&Focus=306257#Comment_306257 Sun, 14 Jul 2024 20:56:34 +0100 djh Posted By: Nick ParsonsAnd you can get HWCs with an integral exhaust-air HP.But of course first you pay to heat the air before it gets exhausted, and then you pay again to heat some water using the warm air. Not the most logical system design possibly?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18145&Focus=306258#Comment_306258 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18145&Focus=306258#Comment_306258 Sun, 14 Jul 2024 21:27:40 +0100 Nick Parsons https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18145&Focus=306259#Comment_306259 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18145&Focus=306259#Comment_306259 Mon, 15 Jul 2024 07:22:38 +0100 Peter_in_Hungary https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18145&Focus=306260#Comment_306260 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18145&Focus=306260#Comment_306260 Mon, 15 Jul 2024 07:49:39 +0100 GreenPaddy