Insulation - What is the most important thing and what should be done first?

  • Erstellt am 2011-06-29 13:47:12

Claudia56

2011-06-29 13:47:12
  • #1
Hello,

we have found our "new" old house :p and are now calculating how to best use our money. Initially, after the house purchase and urgent renovations, we have about 10,000 euros left for energy-efficient refurbishment. We plan to take out a building savings contract [Bausparvertrag] that will mature in 10 years and then carry out a larger renovation.

The one-and-a-half-story single-family house from 1982 has not been fundamentally energy-renovated so far; only a new boiler was installed in 2003. However, we plan to heat the ground floor mainly with the existing tiled stove and, if possible, install a Swedish stove on the first floor. The house has a 36 cm Poroton wall, only plastered, not insulated, and old, tightly closing double wooden insulated windows (only the slanted roof windows are not in good condition and need to be replaced soon). An energy demand certificate [Bedarfsenergiepass] is available; the values are of course not particularly good from today’s perspective. The total investment costs were estimated by the expert who created the energy certificate to be around 80,000 euros :mad:, which is not feasible for us at the moment (Besides, the estimate seems much too low to us; the replacement of the front door with a side window part, altogether 2.80 m wide, was quoted at 1080.00 €?)

For a reroofing, an internal insulation of 10 cm is recommended. But since the roof covering consists of tiles, it should still last a few decades, right? Nevertheless, we are concerned because if we replace the roof windows now, they would no longer fit a thicker insulation layer later and would have to be replaced again :confused:?

A walkable insulation for the attic and, above all, an insulated attic hatch seems sensible to us before we start storing things.

Of course, the replacement of all windows is actually recommended. However, after all we have read, this only seems to make sense in connection with a wall insulation system. The certificate recommends a 12 cm external insulation made of polystyrene.

Furthermore, insulating the radiator niches with 12 cm polystyrene is recommended – only there is not 12 cm of space behind the radiators. Insulating the niches seems very sensible to us. Should we try to replace the radiators with thinner ones or move them (but some have parquet underneath!) and install the panels then, or do these reflective foils help? They would be flexible enough to be pushed behind the radiators.

The following measure seems sensible for a temporary improvement: Installing thermal insulating blinds (the house has no blinds, and we want to install some with insect screens anyway). The question naturally arises whether these can still be used later on the insulation or whether the whole thing was then for nothing.

Insulating the basement ceiling seems sensible, but the recommended replacement of the fairly new heating system with a pellet stove, in our opinion, does not pay off (and financially is not feasible for us now).

Since my husband and I are already older – only a few years left until retirement – the heretical question of amortization also arises. Some acquaintances leave their houses uninsulated except for the absolutely necessary renovations and prefer to pay higher heating costs because they believe they won’t get the money back when selling. Of course, nature loses out in the process; it’s also about CO² reduction. On the other hand, we will only live in our house for another 25 years :o if everything goes well health-wise; if we are unlucky, we can only use it for a significantly shorter time.

Thank you very much in advance for all answers

Claudia
 

E.Curb

2011-06-29 18:46:57
  • #2
Hello,

an energy renovation must be considered from several perspectives. It should lead to energy savings, protect and preserve the building, conserve the environment, and also be economical.
Which measures are best suited for which house cannot be said in general. Renovation measures must always be planned individually for each building ;)

In your case, an energy consultation seems very sensible to me at first. The energy consultant should normally suggest economical and feasible measures.





Who recommended that? The issuer of the energy certificate? He probably inserted his standard recommendations and that’s it. One click and the energy certificate is quickly done :mad:
The issuer is obliged to recommend economically sensible measures. Replacing a heating system already exchanged in 2003 now does not seem really economical to me.



Your "specialist" didn’t pay proper attention and also didn’t really think it through. Radiator niches should be adapted to the energetic level of the external wall. If the niches are fully insulated, moisture problems occur. And you don’t want that.

So if at all, then rebuild the walls. And in any case seek professional advice ;)

Regards
 

Claudia56

2011-06-29 19:15:39
  • #3
Hello,

The energy certificate was prepared by the previous owner with a view to the sale and was given to us. I also think that a complete renovation is proposed here, which is far beyond the financial means of a normal homeowner and not a reasonable plan for incremental improvements.

I had thought that perhaps we could manage without an additional energy consultant (costs). But as it seems, this is only difficult. After all, no one wants to make things worse with a wrong renovation.

Thank you, Claudia
 

perlenmann

2011-06-30 07:15:14
  • #4
If I am not mistaken, there is also someone at the Verbraucherzentrale who looks at such things and gives recommendations. It shouldn't be too expensive and is definitely worth it!
 

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