Terraced solid brick early 18th century cottage.
Robina has lived in her picturesque Grade II listed terraced cottage in Mill Race for 30 years. During this time small changes have been made to improve the thermal comfort of the building fabric, thanks to Government grants and charity campaigns. Adaptations to listed properties can be time consuming and expensive, so Robina’s experience is an excellent example of how simple low tech draught-proofing (by Age UK) has had a major impact on energy efficiency in a Grade II listed cottage.
View More InformationIntroduction
Age UK carried out a free domestic energy check to give advice on saving energy and money. After receiving a thermometer to monitor her bedroom’s temperature, Robina discovered that it was only 9 degrees and decided that the property needed a little more help to keep warm. Age UK offered to arrange for some remedial, non-structural support, such as draught-proofing, free of charge. Within one day her bedroom was 6 degrees warmer! Although small, these measures emphasise the benefits of taking advantage of initiatives to improve thermal comfort at little cost.
Age UK draught-proofing
Age UK arranged for local handyman Roger Bowditch to assess Robina’s property and carry out remedial measures. Roger fitted draught excluders to the front door, the letter box and on the ceiling joists. He also fitted radiator reflectors to outside wall radiators to maximise heat going back into the rooms, and freed off some of the upstairs windows to ensure that they sat properly into the frames. He also fitted some low energy bulbs.
For further information, please see the Age UK website
Secondary glazing
Eight years ago Robina installed secondary glazing to eight windows throughout the property, a measure ideal for listed buildings that can improve thermal performance by more than 60%. In addition, a grant scheme from Wiltshire Council six years ago meant that the bedroom windows were replaced to a better standard, decreasing heat loss through the frame.
Water meter
As well as trying to make the cottage more energy efficient, Robina is very pleased with her water meter which has led to substantial savings. She now has rainwater butts in the garden.
Next steps
The thermal imaging survey provided by Wilton Community Land Trust has found a few more areas where draught proofing can be improved.