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Except for basics such as loft insulation I don't think you should be looking at a general building company. You need to find someone with an in depth knowledge of issues such as insulation, air tightness and ventilation. They should draw up a design and then you need to find a good builder to undertake the work. Before going down this road you have to think about how far you are prepared to go and how big is your budget.
If you want to look at what can be done the Haynes manual “ECO-HOUSE MANUAL” is a good source of general information.
If your budget is limited get the basics done first insulation, draft proofing and using low energy appliances.
geoff
I didn't think that CFC's and HCFC's were used to blow the foams any more but you should specify that the foam be blown with CO2 or similar.
geoff
I really can't imagine that putting ceramic tiles on cork would work I am sure that movement due to the softness of the cork would end up cracking around the tiles if not the tiles themselves.
The question is why are you putting cork down, is it for insulation if so it would be so thin as to do very little. And what are you putting it on.
If it is suspended floor you could insulate between the joists add a barrier sheet and cover in FSC ply firmly fixed all round with plenty of noggings.
geoff
Wow thats a question and a half. I would think that if you want to change it from a storage unit to a residence you will have to apply for change of use and it will have to comply with current building regs. Being that small it will be difficult to get the required levels of insulation. Assuming it is a single skin concrete building you could build an internal stud wall with insulation and then line it with something (plasterboard would be the easiest and cheapest as well as giving fire protection). I would not risk any insulation that would conduct moisture from the wall to the interior. This would mean loosing about 160mm on all external walls which is a good bit on such a small building. If you were prepared to look at some of the rigid foam sheet insulations they could be thinner they have high embodied energy but will save vastly more over the buildings life. If the roof has a large overhang you could build an external stud wall and insulate that and clad it in timber which may look better. You could then render the interior, But as I say this will only work if the roof has a big enough overhang to cover the new wall. The roof will have to be insulated. And think about a small heat source.
You will almost certainly have to change the doors and windows.
It may be worth checking the figures to see if it makes more sense to build a new building depending the quality of the existing structure.On the subject of EPCs my brother in law trained as an assessor and used our house as a test. We came out above standard although I new this was wrong but the methodology is so flawed that is almost worthless on building that is not a standard cavity wall construction.
As it is designed to be a tick box method there is no space for anything non standard to be included. For instance we have insulated under the floors but that didn't get us points.
It is a shame as a properly set up system would have been useful.geoff
Last nights SW Group meeting with a presentation from Peter Warm was exactly what the local groups should be about, informative, informal and fun. We are aware that we need to get more Email addresses of SW members. If you want to be included please send me or Paul your Email address.
geoff.biy(at)homecall.co.uk
The evening was a bit spoilt by missing my train back by seconds and having to wait on Plymouth station for two and a half hours.
Thanks Paul & Peter
Geoff
My understanding is that most Micro CHP systems are heat led and the electricity is a by product. So if you have a well insulated building then they probably don't make much sense.
Fran
I agree that it would be good to share info. You could consider putting something in Network maybe with a short bit about the TSB Initiative.I agree with all the comments so far. An AECB area with us providing high quality advice and a chill out area would be wonderful and exactly what is needed. It would take a lot of organising and co-ordinating between us and the exhibition organisers. Would we take this on as a committee or employ someone and try to cover their costs.
Any comments.
I'm off to Lidls as they have a good deal on Cointreau and Triple Sec just in case.
Given that Induction Hobs are broadly similar to gas in terms of carbon produced would they be the best way to heat a saucepan for rural areas with only say electricity, calor gas or oil.
It doesn't look as though Maxit LWA Insulation Fill is for cavity walls it looks as though it is designed for under foundations and floors. Is the conservatory already built or is it a new build?
If we were to change to the Sustainable Building Assoc the web site
http://www.sba.net
http://www.sba.co.uk
http://www.sba.eu
http://www.sba.comare all taken but
http://www.asb.net is free so we could consider the Association for Sustainable Building.
Geoff
I agree with Nick ideally we wouldn't start from here. AECB is clumsy but so is RSPB, RSPCA, RNLI, NSPCC but they seem to get on with it. The standards are now well known as the AECB gold and Silver standards. If we are to keep it we should stop using the full name.
If we are to change it we would need to put a lot of effort into it as Nick points out big companies are spending millions on getting the new name out there.
As we do not have a lot of stationary it will not be too expensive.
Should it be a focus of our work and can we come up with a better name that won't be dated and need changing in a few years.
Overall my feeling is that we should not bother to change it at a time when we all have a lot on.Chris
I think we should be clear what the role of a board of patrons should be and what is expected of them. They would need to be very carefully chosen as often they have proved a bit of an embarassment in some way or another. I think it only worth doing if they have something to offer and are prepared to input into the organisation rather than be a figurehead.
Geoff
Paul
A FAQs on airtightness would be great. I am amazed at the amount of times i have heard comments such as
If you get the insulation right then the airtightness doesn't really matter too much.
In a highly insulated house you don't want it too airtight as it will cause health problems.
I would rather a small draught than live in a sealed up polythene bag etc.There is still a huge amount of misunderstanding even by committed “green” builders.
Anything you can do would be great.
Geoff
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