Attic

Attic space partially converted – with flooring (and carpeting) and pine tongue and groove covering the ceilings and roof space. Naturally lit with 2 velux windows – are these double glazed? Space used for storage – and occasionally for visitors.

Unable to see depth or type of insulation either in the roof space, or at floor level. Mark and Clare reported that the upstairs bedrooms of the house become uncomfortably hot in summer, and this will be improved if the levels of insulation are increased.

• Recommend insulation levels are checked further and are increased to a minimum of 270 mm. The most environmentally friendly insulation types are Warmcell or Thermafleece, both of these are pleasant and easier to work with than Rockwool. Warmcell can be blown in – so may be suitable for installing where boarding is already in place.

• Attic internal party walls would also benefit from insulation if building work undertaken or up grade of space for more day to day living – then will have to insulate well in both ceiling space and under floors.

• The trap door to attic will benefit from being draft proofed and an insulation layer added on the upper side of the trap door to improve its thermal properties. (Could use the jacket from the hot water tank if the tank is replaced with a factory insulated tank).

© Sylvaine Poitau

Main Bedroom

All light bulbs with the exception of the bed side lamp were not low energy. Changed 150w and 100w lamps to CFL’s.

Bay window to front of house is single glazed – this is to be replaced in the next couple of weeks with double glazing.

The heavy curtains are fully lined and are used at night – this helps to reduce energy loss.

Second Bedroom

Window is to be replaced with double glazing in next couple of weeks.

Light bulb replaced with CFL – however, there is a dimmer switch on this light – and this should be replaced with a conventional switch as soon as possible, alternatively a Compact fluorescent that is dimmable is available from Megaman.

Mark and Clare asked about night lights for Children. Ikea stock Osman nightlights which have a light sensor, this means that the light only comes on when lighting levels drop. Alternatively the Moonlight Gad 45 only uses 5 watts of power, but does not turn itself off in day light.

Also available is the Safet Light which only uses 3 watts of power.

© Sylvaine Poitau

Bathroom

The bathroom window was double glazed. The loo is a duel flush model – left behind a hippo and water displacer which can be fitted into the cistern.

The Bestwethelicks do turn the tap off when cleaning their teeth.

No sanitary products are flushed down the toilet.

The shower is used predominately, and their daughter (3) uses the bath, but is starting to take showers which will reduce water consumption.

Replace candle lamp with CFL.

Spare Bedroom

The airing cupboard contains an old hot water tank – this has a jacket around it, but the jacket would benefit from being tied on so that it didn’t gape open. When the central heating boiler is replaced – recommend that the hot water tank is replaced at the same time with a factory insulated tank, and that all the hot water pipes are insulated.

The cast iron fire place is no longer used. Recommend that the chimney is swept, and a chimney balloon installed.

All the ‘gadgets’ in the room were switched off at the plug with the exception of the telephone.