100 year old semi-detached house in a conservation area built with materials of the time, lime mortar, lime plaster and porous bricks. Each room had a fireplace and was either heated by a hot coal fire or had ice forming on the single glazed windows. Ventilation and draughts were not an issue because each room had an open chimney and insulation was unheard of.
Currently heated by gas central heating with loft, cavity wall and underfloor insulation, draught proofing and secondary glazing and ventilated by “Stoßlüften” which is a German technique of opening all windows and doors for a few minutes twice a day. The improvements have made the house vulnerable to damp and mould so we use a dehumidifier and take care to avoid unnecessary water vapour whilst cooking or showering.
Good for at least another 100 years, we are currently preparing the house for a heat pump which will involve some internal wall insulation, underfloor heating and a ventilation system. Everything must be compatible with the original porous building materials. We are looking forward to an energy efficient, comfortable and healthy house.
Solar – owner is retired solar engineer with experience from “Tiny Solar” arrays of two panels up to solar farms with thousands of panels. 3 independent arrays of 2, 4 and 11 panels with a string inverter, microinverters and power optimisers installed in the garden. Happy to discuss any solar plans that visitors may have.
Cavity walls and breathability – Things we wished we had known 30 years ago and some things we found in the cavities.
Under floor insulation – A suspended timber ground floor is now open with some floorboards removed so you can see how to insulate under the floor as a DIY project.
Draught proofing – Following a successful project, we have a quantity of 2m draught proofing strips, designed for casement windows, to give away to anybody that can use them. Although designed for windows they are perfectly good for doors. Perfect for “Collins” style houses. Similarly we have a number of brown letterbox draught excluders to give away.
On show
Solar panels (and a Solar expert happy to answer any general solar questions)
Loft, wall, and underfloor insulation. Draught proofing and secondary glazing.
EV + charger
Opening times
| Saturday 13th September | 10:00am – 12:00pm |
| Sunday 14th September | 2:00pm – 4:00pm |
| Wednesday 17th September | 2:00pm – 4:00pm |
| Saturday 20th September | 10:00am – 12:00pm |
| Sunday 21st September | 2:00pm – 4:00pm |
Other info
| Accessibility | 1 step into house |
| Travel | Secure bike parking in garden Parking: Street parking nearby |