Mine is a pretty tiny terraced house. Windows, are, I think a bigger consideration here. Exterior wall insulation isn't really an option, I think. The interior of the rooms are are only about 3x4 metres (or less) so we would lose a significant amount of living space with full interior insulation.
In a freezing back bedroom I did put in insultating fibre board during part of a refurb to make the room more livable. The board is not very thick, but does seem to help, with this single brick, dodgy 1980s extension. I had under floor and flat roof insulation put in at the same time, in that room, so it's hard to know which change generated most change. But the walls are no long freezing to touch in the winter.
Do you have solid walls? Have a look at interior solid wall insulation. It's relatively expensive but a terraced house will lose over a third of the heat your generating through the walls (grants maybe available?).
Internal wall insulation is very disruptive and the risk of getting it wrong and ending up with damp is quite high.
"Solid wall insulation needs an experienced installer because of potential water vapour and damp issues (your damp proofing needs to good shape before insulating the walls)"
I had it installed into my previous house (a solid wall terrace) over 25 years ago - you're right it was disruptive and admittedly made easier because I wasn't living in the house at the time. I did seek out an experienced contractor (which did take some effort) but in the end had no issues with damp & despite the mess I'd certainly do it again...especially at my time of life when I'd want a quicker payback which is potentially half that of solar.
It made a difference to the price I got for the house too which if I'm being honest was partly the driving force for doing it - that and saving on energy bills - I'm afraid saving the planet wasn't even a consideration.
External panels on a terraced house? .. I think that will look a bit naff personally but hey, each to their own. And to be honest I'd be unlikely to buy a house with solar panels covering the roof - primarily from a aesthetic point of view but that's personal choice I suppose.
It made a difference to the price I got for the house too which if I'm being honest was partly the driving force for doing it. [...]
To be honest I'd be unlikely to buy a house with solar panels covering the roof - primarily from a aesthetic point of view but that's personal choice I suppose.
These are pressing questions. A very real portion of the population (and my neighbours) viscerally hate the look of solar panels (some of my, very vocal, family too). Not sure if it's a Daily Mail thing. It's even more emotive in a conservation area.
Mine is a pretty tiny terraced house. Windows, are, I think a bigger consideration here. Exterior wall insulation isn't really an option, I think. The interior of the rooms are are only about 3x4 metres (or less) so we would lose a significant amount of living space with full interior insulation.
That's true.. It's not something I know a lot about (the theory, that's all) but have you looked into air source heat exchange pumps?
It's not something I know a lot about (the theory, that's all) but have you looked into air source heat exchange pumps?
I have. We are in small terraced housing so I think noise is an issue (though I know, not necessarily). It's a 1907 house and, though well built, I still have work to do on insulating it properly. There is not efficiency to a heat pump system unless insulation is great.
As Mr Edges says, insulation should probably be the priority. If I have X thousand to spend and have to choose one big outlay it's probably best spent on insulating plaster board and possibly triple glazed windows. 😣
I have to say that, to date, small, cheap changes have made a huge difference to the livability of the house - thick curtains over front and back doors (Ebay remainders), plastering up gaps in the brick work to reduce drafts, draft excluders, new eco letterbox. I used to feel embarrassed invite friends over for dinner because we used to end up swaddled in blankets, even with the heating on full.
The Beast for the East gave a great opportunity to test the window seals - with temps below freeze and arctic winds howling at force. And yes, the old double glaze window seals are pretty rubbish.
As I mentioned I really don't like the idea of staying in the house long term. London is not really for me. Somewhat of a quandry, as the footprint of my house really matters to me.
@Fire, then I wouldn't waste your money on putting in solar panels, you would be unlikely to recoup the cost via the sale price and given that you are in a conservation area, I think they are probably still a no-no. The Council would likely insist on the new solar roof tiles instead. Don't know they are still around?
I hated the look of the solar panels to start with but you soon get used to them. Lots of the houses around us have had them fitted - we're all mainly on a southfacing hill.
You might be better off having all the windows done as that does make a big difference in comfort.
Thanks for all the info @raisingirl, very interesting.
These are pressing questions. A very real portion of the population (and my neighbours) viscerally hate the look of solar panels (some of my, very vocal, family too). Not sure if it's a Daily Mail thing. It's even more emotive in a conservation area.
Therein lies the problem. Round this part of the country, every application for a solar farm is met with howls of protests and petitions. The reason given is usually that solar panels should be on brownfield sites not farmland, or there shouldn't be solar farms anywhere *near* (not *in*, mind you) an AONB etc. As to how many of the protestors actually have solar panels on their own roofs, well...so much for brownfield sites... What they really mean is that they would like such objects to be in cities or just anywhere far from them. All while moaning about energy prices, Putin, recycling etc. {shrug}
If I did apply for solar panneling in the conservation area, mine might well be the test case for the conserved bit of the neighbourhood. I think I have a fair chance of getting permission, with councillors, local conservation groups, MP and other lobbiests on board, esp if I'm not in a hurry.
Lillian Wilson, how many panels did you get for £7.5k,? Most quotes (London and Se area for an average 3 bed house is £15k. We have a 2 bed bungalow,south facing. Was told there must be no trees or building to shade roof minimum 10am to 3pm,to make installation worthwhile, we're all bungalows,no trees,so fit the criteria. We had a letter from local authority last year. Paid deposit,had survey done October last,you roof has to be strong enough to take the weight, and level and in really good condition.loft had to be cleared and boarded to accommodate inverter and 2batteries. 12 panels fitted 2 batteries,cost £8.50k scheme via Solar together and council,in march. Obviously being a bungalow,no cost for scaffolding,hubby fitted the bird proofing.Previous quote was £13k. At todays rising fuel costs,it is predicted to pay for itself in 3 years. We make an average of 20kw per day,in the height of summer,31. There was a long wait for smart meters,we are still waiting for the export. We are with octopus,who now pay 15p. We have used the immersion heater all summer,it takes 20 minutes to heat the tank. There are no grants available unless you are on specific benefits. At this time in our area East Sussex, property is selling quickly and solar panels are advertised as a plus. You also have to notify your insurance company as you have made a structural alteration. Other grandparents, about 30 miles away can't even get a quote till February. Hubby has cleaned them off a couple of times...but it is a bungalow!
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I had it installed into my previous house (a solid wall terrace) over 25 years ago - you're right it was disruptive and admittedly made easier because I wasn't living in the house at the time. I did seek out an experienced contractor (which did take some effort) but in the end had no issues with damp & despite the mess I'd certainly do it again...especially at my time of life when I'd want a quicker payback which is potentially half that of solar.
It made a difference to the price I got for the house too which if I'm being honest was partly the driving force for doing it - that and saving on energy bills - I'm afraid saving the planet wasn't even a consideration.
External panels on a terraced house? .. I think that will look a bit naff personally but hey, each to their own.
And to be honest I'd be unlikely to buy a house with solar panels covering the roof - primarily from a aesthetic point of view but that's personal choice I suppose.
These are pressing questions. A very real portion of the population (and my neighbours) viscerally hate the look of solar panels (some of my, very vocal, family too). Not sure if it's a Daily Mail thing. It's even more emotive in a conservation area.
It's not something I know a lot about (the theory, that's all) but have you looked into air source heat exchange pumps?
I hated the look of the solar panels to start with but you soon get used to them. Lots of the houses around us have had them fitted - we're all mainly on a southfacing hill.
You might be better off having all the windows done as that does make a big difference in comfort.
Thanks for all the info @raisingirl, very interesting.
What they really mean is that they would like such objects to be in cities or just anywhere far from them. All while moaning about energy prices, Putin, recycling etc. {shrug}