Improvements included insulating the walls externally, fully insulating the loft and replacing windows with high performance double glazing in wooden frames.
The heating system was also fitted with the environment in mind, with a space and water heater, both fed by a large water thermal store tank.
This is maintained at a temperature of 45C by a combination of solar and heat pumps - costing £3,100.
Heat pumps are electrically powered compressors that extract heat from the local environment and concentrate it at the temperatures needed for heating. Normally this would work from a ground water source, but the Hammonds' system draws its heat from the nearby River Thames.
The couple also replaced large areas of the roof with solar panels above the south-facing side and rear of the kitchen - at a cost of £3,600.
Mr Hammond said it would be unrealistic to expect people to do all the work in one go as he had.
He said: "It is expensive, but if people carry out little jobs when they are doing work, they can do it bit by bit. The savings you make in the long run far outweigh the cost of the work, provided you have it done by qualified builders."
full article
No comments:
Post a Comment