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New insulation or new windows to help energy efficiency?

  • 05-11-2014 7:54pm
    #1
    paddylonglegs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,578 ✭✭✭


    Hi, hopefully this is the right forum.

    I have moved into a 15 year old house. Semi-d bungalow with double glazed windows. The 2 corner rooms (2 walls are external), both bedrooms are quite cold and we are looking to increase energy efficiency. They are both approx 12.5m2 so not huge. The walls have 50mm wooden batons with rockwool in between, and plasterboard. The windows are double glazed but are 15 years old.

    Is there a need to dry line these walls are is there enough insulation already? Should we be going about replacing windows instead if so?

    The attic does have some insulation from when it was built. Should I be looking I to this as a priority?

    Any advice appreciated.


Comments

  • #2
    mfceiling
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,969 ✭✭✭✭mfceiling


    paddylonglegs wrote: »
    Hi, hopefully this is the right forum.

    I have moved into a 15 year old house. Semi-d bungalow with double glazed windows. The 2 corner rooms (2 walls are external), both bedrooms are quite cold and we are looking to increase energy efficiency. They are both approx 12.5m2 so not huge. The walls have 50mm wooden batons with rockwool in between, and plasterboard. The windows are double glazed but are 15 years old.

    Is there a need to dry line these walls are is there enough insulation already? Should we be going about replacing windows instead if so?

    The attic does have some insulation from when it was built. Should I be looking I to this as a priority?

    Any advice appreciated.

    50mm insulation isn't near enough. Drylining will improve the heat retention but be careful of mould forming (read previous posts on this forum).

    The windows too are probably nowhere near energy efficient due to their age. I think there are companies now who can provide near energy efficient glass and can leave the frames.

    Attic insulation is probably the cheapest and easiest way to get started. Aim for at least 400mm of insulation there. Whatever is in there at the moment put the new stuff directly over it - preferably 150mm running one way, then 150mm the opposite way. Simple job for a home diy person.

    The guys on here will be way more informative than I am but a few small steps and away you go!!


  • #3
    MicktheMan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,943 ✭✭✭MicktheMan


    As mfceiling said, upgrading the insulation in the attic should be done anyway.

    Is the house draughty? If it is, then upgrading the wall insulation will do little to address this and can often be a waste.
    Adding insulation in the wrong place can easily introduce problems into the house such as damp, mould etc. Windows, even old ones, can still be serviceable with a bit of attention.

    The point I'm making is that in order to get the best bang for your buck, you need to know why you are losing heat and the only real way to find out is to consider having a proper heat loss survey done. This will leave you in no doubt on where best to spend your money.


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