Character features are one of the big plus points with older dwellings, but one could not reasonably expect a building to perform to modern expectations of thermal comfort or energy usage.
Total refurbishment is not essential in order to achieve improvements. A combination of remedial work can make most homes comfortable to live in and at the same time reduce the hours of your heating and cooling equipment to work.
Start with ceiling insulation
Heat travels through uninsulated ceiling cavities fairly easily, so attic insulation can be a good place to start. Check existing material and correct any moisture, pests, or electrical problems before adding new insulation. Keep correct safety guidelines in mind around downlights and other services in the attic.
Seal unwanted air leaks
Gaps around doors, windows, and older penetrations can enable treated air to leak out and outside air to leak in.
The air seals on a door or window and precise filling of gaps can cost comparatively little to install when weighed against much of the rest of the building improvements. Air leak improvement is generally more apparent on windy, cool nights.
Improve window performance
Windows can contribute to heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter. Depending on the house, options may include better seals, curtains, secondary glazing, new glazing or external shading.
External roller shutters are sometimes chosen because they provide shade as well as privacy and security. Homeowners investigating this type of upgrade can review residential installations from Roller Shutter People to understand how the systems sit over existing windows before deciding whether they suit the architecture of the home.
Add shading where summer sun is a problem
Vegetation, awnings, pergolas and other external shade cover helps to reduce direct sunshine on your walls and glass. A great shading scheme will account for the season, the side of the house and the time of year to maximise summer shading whilst allow the usable winter sun in.
Use efficient heating and cooling
Once a house envelope is optimized, the right, high-efficient appliances can help to make it even better. Though buying a new furnace or Air conditioner can have an impact in energy, make sure the equipment has got the right dimension for the size of the room. A larger one is always not better and cannot entirely make up for an incomplete insulated house.
Think about hot water
Hot water can account for a significant part of household energy use. The best upgrade depends on the existing system, household size and available energy sources.
Along with the system itself, simple changes such as efficient showerheads and sensible temperature settings can reduce demand.
Choose improvements in the right order
Although the first urge may be to address the “eye-catching” upgrades, the visually striking improvements rarely provide the greatest comfort enhancement. A good order is finding out how a house gains or loses heat, improving the “enclosure” (insulation and airtightness), adding shades and a more appropriate window, then consider HVAC and appliance opportunities. This strategy maximizes each new dollar spent.
Preserve character while improving comfort
Energy efficiency and old-home character don’t need to be mutually exclusive. Several improvements can be subtle or specifically chosen to match the existing architecture.
The point isn’t to try to make an old house perform like a new one. The goal is to mitigate the clear discomforts while retaining the qualities which have made the house attractive.
