Well, this has been an interesting, informative but in the end perhaps slightly discouraging process. The possibility of upgrading the fabric of our house to improve energy efficiency had been in our minds for some time, and this scheme seemed a good way to explore it further. I have been reading a lot about climate change and energy supply over the last few years – not enough to become an expert, but enough to convince me that we need to move on all fronts to reduce carbon emissions: domestic, national and international, supply and demand. I signed up for the Refit West survey interested in the immediate, personal possibility for one dwelling, but also interested in the idea that this could help model a process which would contribute, in time, to doing similar things for hundreds of thousands or even millions of other houses. That is, if this kind of thing is going anywhere, it needs to be packaged in ways that are easy to adopt for the relatively uncommitted. Of course, what counts as “committed” may emerge from such a process… Maybe it turns out that we aren’t that committed after all. I hope that explains why this and the two blogposts which follow are monstrously long. But before expanding, a little history:
We thought a bit about the possibilities for upgrading a handsome, old and draughty Victorian (1870) semi when we bought it a couple of years ago. I knew it could be a big job, as a brother of mine had ‘cosified’ a terraced house in London. That was quite a saga. He is infinitely handier than me, enjoys renovating houses, and knows a great deal about building and design. He had to write the specs himself, and project manage the execution (he knows about stuff like that too). The whole thing took two years (a lot of other things got done as well), and he got a wonderfully efficient dwelling. Among other things, it has a new boiler, underfloor heating, full interior insulation to the walls, and hefty new windows and patio doors. He was not living in the house at the time, and was not in any great hurry to move in. Nor, when this was mixed up with much other work to remodel the interior of the house, was he able to put numbers on the cost of the energy-efficiency parts of the project.
But getting our own move under way in time to relocate from London and start a new job got in the way of following his example. We settled for some immediate improvements to old sash windows – a couple of grands’ worth of overhauling and draught proofing – and the installation of many bookshelves (can books insulate a room? Maybe!). Result, a great move, but a sense of unfinished business.
So when I first heard about Refit West in September 2008, it seemed an ideal opportunity to take the next step: get some good advice on measures which might suit, and reduce our carbon footprint while improving the old place. The survey was keenly awaited.
