Best option to reduce energy costs

angeldaisy

Not sure if this is the right forum.

We built our house in 2002 and fitted ufh with a geothermal heat pump. At the time it seemed a good idea, but now we are more than aware it was not a good outlay. Incorrectly installed etc....

Our problem is that during the winter months our heating bills are approx 250 per month. the heat pump is on 24/7 between October and April.

Our total electricity usage per year is approx 2,500 euro. We use no other fuel, other than coal for a fire during the colder days.

My question is, what would be the best way to make the house more energy efficient and therefore reduce costs.

We are thinking of putting in a stove to replace the open fire and I'm sure the walls aren't are insulated at they should be.

Superdaddy

Your open fireplace is a big part of the problem, as a massive amount of energy will dissapear up the chimney when it's not lighting and most of the energy from the coal goes there too. A stove would be a better job especially if a back boiler can be plumbed into the UFH system. Certainly explore the insulation route and maybe also consider photovoltaic solar panels as it looks like you would get maximum payback. The good news is that you will probably get money back on grants for the insulation and solar panels if you apply. I can't tell you which will give you the greatest return of savings.

MicktheMan

angeldaisy wrote: »

My question is, what would be the best way to make the house more energy efficient and therefore reduce costs.

Find out how & where the heat loss is occurring, quantify the weaknesses and address.
Note: insulation (or lack thereof) is generally only a small part of the story.

mfceiling

MicktheMan wrote: »

Find out how & where the heat loss is occurring, quantify the weaknesses and address.
Note: insulation (or lack thereof) is generally only a small part of the story.

This^^

Think of where the heat is escaping before how much insulation you need.

Imagine you had 600mm of insulation in your attic and 300mm in your walls but you left all your windows and doors open day and night...

4Sticks

angeldaisy wrote: »

We built our house in 2002 .... and I'm sure the walls aren't are insulated at they should be.

Why did you do this to yourself?

angeldaisy

4Sticks wrote: »

Why did you do this to yourself?

Well, the insulation was done to the minimum standards at the time.

Why?

Lack of money due to me losing my job after 9/11, planning a wedding and dealing with family illnesses.

So there is insulation there, its just not to the standard I would now like.

4Sticks

What professional advice did you seek and use then and more to the point - will you use now ?

4Sticks

angeldaisy wrote: »

Lack of money due

You installed a geothermal heat pump.
You had money but spent it unwisely.
Don't repeat that mistake.

jiminho

4Sticks wrote: »

Why did you do this to yourself?

4Sticks wrote: »

What professional advice did you seek and use then and more to the point - will you use now ?

4Sticks wrote: »

You installed a geothermal heat pump.
You had money but spent it unwisely.
Don't repeat that mistake.

Remind me never to ask you for advice :rolleyes:

There is a lot you can do to save energy in the house. Heat pumps are a good idea but they work better when working in tandem with other energy sources. Curiously, how do you heat your hot water? I agree with the first poster and the fireplace is a big item. Replacing with a stove would be a good option and a good start. Get an engineer out or tbh even a friend who is construction savvy to highlight the areas/items in the house that are draining your money. Do you have a bungalow or multistory? You said insulation wasn't done the way you wanted, including the roof area? Also, do you have heating controls for your UFH in that are rooms/spaces segmented so you can heat only the rooms required? You said it was poorly installed, how so? It's not that difficult and there is 101 ways to save on your bills, it's just determining whether they're worth the money. Is this your forever home or will you move in a few years?

4Sticks

jiminho wrote: »

Remind me never to ask you for advice :rolleyes:

To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle

Penn

Quit the sly digs, lads. Discuss the topic civilly or not at all.

4Sticks

Bad advice is often presented with a smile. If the OP only listens to such advice s/he will be no better off.