Gas Heating or Insulation first.

hopalong_ie

Hi.

Currently have an 850 square foot duplex apartment, first floor over ground of only two floors. Even though the attic has 300mm and upto 500mm of insulation each winter I get huge electricity bills for the storage heating which is 100% setup correctly. Approx 1000 - 1200 euro for the winter months. Apartment is completly exposed on three sides in a open landscape (Park) so the heat is just wicked off the apartment and an open fire place and attic above don't help.

I have the funds to replace the heating system with a Gas wet one but was thinking of diverting some of the funds into filling the "empty" 100mm cavity with beads and insulating attic at rafter level and ceiling level with 100mm kingspan to stop the wind as it sometime howls in the attic much in the same fashion an attic conversion is done.

Finally the plan was to fit a stove as well. This would use up about 40% of the Gas budget and mean putting it off until after christmas, on the other hand the gas is approx 25% of the peak rate electricity and 50% of off peak.

What are peoples opinions ? I have done all the usual, New Window Hinges, Seals, Seal around the frame, attic door hatch sealed, heavy curtains with lining. In fact it was so well sealed I have to unseal a bit as the fireplace couldn't draw enough air. No air vent in room which needs to be rectified.

Thanks

sydthebeat

the walls are your biggest killer.
are you sure theres a 100mm cavity with nothing in it?? sounds a bit metal for a duplex construction. Is it old?

is anyone living downstairs?
is there insulation between the ground floor and your property?
is anyone living in the duplex next door to you?

i certainly wouldnt put money into changing the heating system without tackling the heat loss issues.

BryanF

+1 with syd,
do consider the central heating upgrade (pipes etc) if insulating involves lifting floor boards etc..