For anyone renovating, the things one can’t see – warmth, comfort and dryness – are just as important as the new decor and by making renovations energy-efficient, the here can be big savings on the power bill.
For example, an uninsulated home with electric heaters can cost 20 times as much to heat as a fully insulated home with efficient heat pumps.
It is worth paying a little more to achieve greater comfort through effective systems, which will then lower running costs for years to come.
However, remember all building work, including renovations, needs to comply with the Building Code.
Insulation is a fundamental part of making a home warmer, drier and healthier.
• Ensure ceiling and underfloor insulation is up to a good standard. Many homes have Batts in the roof but nearly 60% of homes have inadequate insulation. There are various options available including insulating the walls. To do this, take off the wall lining or cladding, install insulation and re-line the walls.
When renovating it may be a good chance to make the home more air-tight.
Older houses often leak a lot of air, which means heat can easily escape.
Problem areas include: • Unused chimneys • Holes cut in walls, floors and ceilings for plumbing, wiring or recessed downlights • Cracks between floor boards • Broken windows • Badly-fitted windows and doors • Wall cavities that are open to under the floor and into the ceiling space (air can flow through them).
A good start is to: • Close gaps • Block unused chimneys • Seal obvious holes and gaps with sealant and expanding foam • Add seal strips on doors and windows • Replace recessed downlights with non-recessed light fittings.
Fixing dampness, mould, mildew and musty smells isn’t hard when you renovate. For example install externally-vented extractor fans in wet, steamy areas of the home such as kitchens, laundries and bathrooms. Consider a shower dome for your shower to prevent steam escaping into the bathroom and creating mould and damp.
Don’t vent into the ceiling space — it’s bad for your house and your health, and it is not compliant with the Building Code.
Remember to check for rising damp under the house. Make sure all vents are open and consider putting down a ground vapour barrier. Avoid using unflued gas heaters — they release a lot of moisture. Consider installing a proven ventilation system to complement your heating.
This will help keep the home warm in winter, cool in summer and drier throughout all the seasons.
Replacing old windows with double-glazed units can halve window heat loss. Double glazing also reduces condensation and can reduce the amount of outside noise coming into the house.
Some double glazing is more effective than others — look for windows with frames that have insulating properties (e.g. wood, PVC or thermally-broken aluminium), low-emissivity glass and an inert gas filling between the glass layers.
No one likes a cold house in winter and while the obvious way to warm up is with some form of heating, there are lots of things homeowners can do to maintian a comfortable home and save on energy costs.
Even heavy drapes will help prevent heat loss through large expanses of glass.
An efficient heating system is vital in all homes today. So, once you have draughts, dampness and insulation under control, the next step is to think about space heating.
Find out more about different types of heating and cooling — heat pumps are among the most efficient but flued gas heaters, wood burners and other means have their place and can also be highly efficient.
Efficient hot water, lighting and appliances The systems you use in your home can have a big impact on running costs and environmental impacts. Find out more about choosing a hot water system, choosing and buying appliances, and about lighting design. Remember to look for energy and star ratings on appliances when buying new.
Information from Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority
