Buy an uninsulated house? Does it make sense?

Hello everyone,

we are about to make a purchase decision and I would need a few subjective opinions

The object of desire is a kind of small settlement house in a very good location for us and a dream plot in Hamburg.

[*]145 sqm on two levels without basement.
Built around 1960 and extension 1980
[*]Walls not insulated, roof insulated in 1980 as well as the floor slab.
[*]2012 new gas condensing boiler
[*]We plan to install new radiators as part of the renovation, possibly underfloor heating in the bathrooms.
[*]We are currently not planning to insulate walls or install new windows (financially it does not seem sensible and it is also unclear whether external insulation is permitted - existing design regulations)

According to the energy certificate, the consumption was around 220 kw/h per sqm. So a clear "F". The whole thing probably occupied by an old lady. For us it would be 2+2.

What do you think about it? Just financial madness or also ecological?
The house should be our home for another 25 years. After that, the service life is probably reached.

I would be very happy about a few opinions.
Best regards
Jan

What do you think about it? Just financial madness or ecological as well? The house is supposed to be our home for another 25 years. After that, the useful life will probably be reached.

So the house probably corresponds to the average of houses in Germany. It is inhabited and is quite livable. And whether you reduce the heating costs from €2,000 per year to €1,000 per year with €100,000 of energy measures – the insulation may never really pay off. However, I would consider modern insulated windows, depending on the quality of those still installed. Ecological madness is more likely a highly insulated new building. Here, resources are wasted without end. You are ecologically much better off because you are staying with the existing building. My opinion!

Agreement with : First of all, using what already exists saves construction and demolition effort and will therefore be acceptable in the ecological balance. With a new building, one can approach it in a more or less ecological way – ecological madness is to rely on non-ecological building materials. Financial madness is to do exactly that with full consistency. One is doomed to fail if one focuses on not making mistakes. I wish you a good time in the new old house – if you also buy it.

Uninsulated but brick-faced? Then pellets in the air cavity. Is inexpensive and effective.

Would depend on whether you otherwise like the house and whether the purchase price is reasonable. Insulation yes / no is rather a secondary issue. You just have to relate the expected heating costs to the investment amount.

To stay within the financial framework, it is possible to replace the window glass. If the condition is okay and it is still old glass. From which year are the windows? Note the hint from . Good tip! With the roof, you might have to do some work yourself. You can achieve a lot for €3000 here.

Why not underfloor heating everywhere? It can be milled fairly cheaply. Worth considering.

Otherwise, you have to like the house. What is the condition inside? Electrical system from the year of construction? Pay attention to water and sewage pipes! Is the roof still okay? If you buy old, you get old.