Old House Project - Energy Efficiency

The Old House Project is entering its final phase of work, offering us the opportunity to explore the most complex topic currently facing owners and custodians of old buildings: energy efficiency. Re-using old buildings like St Andrew’s is inherently sustainable, but more debate has revolved around the retrofitting work needed to make the building a comfortable 21st century dwelling.  Some decisions have been made for us by the planning authority which has required a mechanical ventilation and heat recycling (MVHR) system, as well as high-performance secondary glazing, to counter pollution and noise from the nearby motorway, but decisions about heating and insulation have been largely ours. Following expert advice, we intend to use an electrically-powered air source heat pump rather than a gas boiler, and to improve insulation with internally-applied woodfibre board. This will create a home that’s both comfortable and carbon-conscious. We hope that a buyer will be sympathetic to the idea that monitoring and learning from the project can continue in the longer term, when building work is complete and the house is in use again.

First published in SPAB members-only magazine. Become a member to see the latest SPAB Magazine and get access to digital back issues.