Main Hallway

Had a laminate (or was it real wood) flooring. The gaps between the skirting and floor surface have been sealed with quadrant – this will help to reduce drafts.

Front door

The front door is of a solid wood construction; recommend that it is draft proofed around the edges and a draft excluder added at the bottom. The door would also benefit from using a heavy curtain – there are now specialist curtain rails that fit over doors so that the curtain does not interfere with the door when it is opened.

Inner front door

Period stained glass inset wooden door. Needs draft proofing and a draft excluder at the bottom.

Front room

Front room and back room had been knocked through to create a continuous space.

Front bay – single glazed replacement windows – will be replaced with double glazed UPVC windows with low emisivity glass in the next couple of weeks. Full length curtains in place and used.

Gas effect open ‘coal fire’ – these type of fires are very inefficient as most of the heat goes straight up the chimney. The fire is infrequently used. The chimney has not been swept for around 10 years. Recommend that the chimney is swept and that a chimney balloon is installed. This will ensure that heat in the room does not escape up the chimney when the fire is not in use. Chimney balloons are easy to install and can be easily removed if the fire is used.

The TV had been turned off and not left on standby.

Main centre lights in this and rear part of the room were 5-point chandeliers with clear candle lamps in. These should be changed to the Philips Masterclassic range when this becomes available later in the year.

© Sylvaine Poitau

Breakfast room

Lit with 6 x 50 w GU10 lights – these can be replaced with a compact fluorescent GU10 which will use considerably less energy and last longer. Mark reported that the lamp in one particular position failed more frequently than the others, the wiring to this lamp should be check as faulty wiring may be affecting the lamps.

Kitchen

The kitchen is in a single story extension. Need to investigate when this was constructed, and how the walls are constructed – is there scope for cavity wall insulation on this extension? What are the insulation levels like in the roof space – is there scope to increase this?

All appliances were the most energy efficient models available when they were bought. Dishwasher is only used when it is full; recommend that plates are rinsed in remains of any previous washing up water so that the amount of detergent in machine can be reduced and wash temperature can be reduced.

Clocks on microwave and on oven – Mark and Clare will now turn the microwave off at the wall (a microwave clock will use more energy during a year than will be taken cooking food in the microwave!)

Clock on oven is used as the main clock in the room, and is preset to turn the oven on during the day so meals are ready when family come home.

Small fridge in kitchen – larger fridge/freezer in covered area outside. Is the second smaller fridge needed? Should consider whether this could be turned off and perhaps used during occasional ‘peak periods’. Recommend that a Sava Plug is fitted to reduce energy consumption further on these appliances.

The family uses a milk man, and has weekly organic vegetable box delivered.

Lighting – 12 volt dichroics – not efficient – recommend switch to curvy fluorescent which will use less power.

Kitchen scraps are composted in local authority green waste collection scheme.