Choosing a suitable property to Eco Retrofit

Published on: www.houseplanninghelp.com

Article link: Click here 

Interviewed by: Ben Adam-Smith

To listen: Simply click the play button below

The director of The House Planning Help website Ben Adam-Smith created the site to provide advice when tackling a renovation or starting a self build property. The majority of this information is sourced from experts that Ben interviews.

Our very own Ian McKay has completed a podcast through this website. Within the podcast Ian gives advice and shows his extensive knowledge on how to find a property that will lend itself well to an eco retrofit. Ian contrasts two very different projects, the retrofit of a 1960’s terraced house and an upgrade of a Victorian villa from the 1890’s.

Some of the vital points discussed in are the interview are listed below.

• Minimise Energy Demand Before Generating Energy 
• Fussy Architectural Details Make Retrofits Expensive
• Simplicity is at the Heart of Houses that are Cheap to Treat
• A Terraced House Will Have Fewer Walls to Treat
• Older Properties May Have More Irksome Problems
  
• In the UK, Refurbishments are Heavily Taxed
• Internally Insulating to Very High Levels Can Damage External Masonry
• If You Have to Insulate Internally, Use Breathable Materials
• Consider the Different Solutions Upfront
• Conservation Orders May Limit How a Building Can be Treated

Click on the play button above to listen to the full interview!