Introduction
It is now clear beyond any reasonable doubt that the days of cheap and plentiful fuel are behind us, and the wisdom of burning it is also in question. Given the prospect of a rise in world population, it seems unlikely that the situation will improve. We will only be able to enjoy a reasonable level of comfort in our homes if we reduce heat loss by insulating them.
Modern houses already benefit from a moderate level of insulation in walls and lofts. Some owners may wish to further improve the thermal performance of these properties by adding more insulation to walls and loft, and fitting underfloor lagging where there is a void under the ground floor.
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Older Houses
The situation in older stone houses of which there are so many in our area is much trickier.
The walls frequently do not have a cavity in which insulation can be installed, and the loft space is often part of the living accommodation. Although it is theoretically possible to install insulation on the outside of a building, it is unlikely that this will ever be considered acceptable for the majority ogf homes as it would radically alter the appearance of the structure.
To adequately insulate the inside of walls and upper storey ceilings of a house obviously involves some small loss of living space. This was once considered unacceptable, but ever-increasing fuel prices are starting to change attitudes in this respect, and some properties in the area have already had such improvements carried out with good results.
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Future Projects
The group intends to research this topic and determine the most appropriate ways to insulate the local houses with due regard to building and other relevant regulations. All of this information will be made available to local tradespeople if they wish.
The availability of grants will be determined and it is also expected that SURE members will pool their skills and resources to carry out this work in each others houses.
This Special Interest Group needs people with building, decorating and manual skills, and researchers. The group may also need advice from qualified people, e.g. electricians and building inspectors from time to time.
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