Where to start?

Blueskye

I own a semi-detached house, about 60 years old, bought in 2007, currently being rented. I hope to move back into it early 2012. Few issues:

current tenants complaining of condensation on the windows, rooms are vented, new vents put in about 4 years ago but no idea of quality. I gave them a dehumidifier but they said it made zero difference. Rooms north-facing appear to have most condensation, windows on other side of house seem to be fine. They do dry clothes inside and there is no vent in bathroom.

house does need to be properly insulated...I haven't improved insulation since I bought it and get the sense the previous owners wouldn't have done anything recently.

the windows are double glaze aluminium but tenants think they may be badly fitted...they think windows are causing condensation . They do probably need replacing...

the floors are definitely losing heat - wooden floor boards, with a 2 foot gap underneath downstairs.

Basically where do I start? BER assessment? I guess I'd like someone to advise me on what is the most useful way of improving heating the house - do I start with attic and external insulation, or should I replace windows and insulate floor? who's advice should I trust?

Limerick based.
Thanks for any opinions/advice in advance.

MicktheMan

You need to talk to an engineer/architect/ architect technician/building surveyor who has training and experience on energy efficent retrofit projects, heat loss mechanisms, building physics, etc.
Pm sent.

BryanF

Blueskye wrote: »

I own a semi-detached house, about 60 years old, bought in 2007, currently being rented. I hope to move back into it early 2012. Few issues:

current tenants complaining of condensation on the windows, rooms are vented, new vents put in about 4 years ago but no idea of quality. I gave them a dehumidifier but they said it made zero difference. Rooms north-facing appear to have most condensation, windows on other side of house seem to be fine. They do dry clothes inside and there is no vent in bathroom.

house does need to be properly insulated...I haven't improved insulation since I bought it and get the sense the previous owners wouldn't have done anything recently.

the windows are double glaze aluminium but tenants think they may be badly fitted...they think windows are causing condensation . They do probably need replacing...

the floors are definitely losing heat - wooden floor boards, with a 2 foot gap underneath downstairs.

Basically where do I start? BER assessment? I guess I'd like someone to advise me on what is the most useful way of improving heating the house - do I start with attic and external insulation, or should I replace windows and insulate floor? who's advice should I trust?

Limerick based.
Thanks for any opinions/advice in advance.

start here
+1 with mick
imo you should get someone in to give you a holistic view of what's to be done and to address the typical pitfalls like condensation. allow yourself a bit of time for retro-fitting and doing things correctly..

Carlow52

Have been here with this sort of issue, in many cases they dont use the dehumidi as it costs mula and they dry clothes inside with vents blocked till the landlord comes by appointment:)

muffler

Blueskye wrote: »

They do dry clothes inside and there is no vent in bathroom.

That would be the obvious problem but not not necessarily the only problem.

As mentioned above do get it checked out though.

Blueskye

Carlow52 wrote: »

Have been here with this sort of issue, in many cases they dont use the dehumidi as it costs mula and they dry clothes inside with vents blocked till the landlord comes by appointment:)

Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to look into it properly when I move back myself. But when I did call to the house I didn't see much evidence of condensation. But the house certainly does need work.