Snake oil "energy saving solutions"

[Buckman]

If you insulate a home too well, won't it cause other problems like condensation and other health issues? Are our summers warmer than Canada as that may be another issue during summer months.

 

[otherclive]

If you insulate a home too well, won't it cause other problems like condensation and other health issues? Are our summers warmer than Canada as that may be another issue during summer months.

Can


I lived in Ottawa and summers there were warmer than here, and with winter going down on occasions to -40 deg C and F. The house was easy and relatively cheap to keep warm, it had to be as I had to pay my own heating costs. It did not suffer condensation.

Yes a sturdy Jeep too.

 

[RogerL]

If you insulate a home too well, won't it cause other problems like condensation and other health issues? Are our summers warmer than Canada as that may be another issue during summer months.

Condensation can be dealt with by improved ventilation, which needs heat exchangers in a well-insulated property.

 

[ProfJohnL]

As others have said the weather conditions in Ottawa and BC are usually far more extreme than we see in the UK. Like OC I have seen both temperatures of+ 40C and winter of down to -30C ( and relatives have reported -50C in parts of BC. Ironically in winter they often like to keep snow on the roof, as despite it being cold, it acts as an additional layer of insulation against the much colder winds, hence the reason for roofs with generally lower pitches than in the UK.

The construction standards are far stricter regarding insulation (probably set state by state) and condensation is managed by the correct placement of vapour barriers in insulation, and heat exchanged ventilation.

Most heating in BC uses blown hot air - probably a tradition but it also solve the problem of freezing CH pipes if its turned off for any reason.

As regards the density of housing, Even in BC there is call for high density housing in towns and cities which sees a type of construction known as "multiplex's" These are terraced properties with about a 5.5m frontage, and these still have to meet the state building codes.

I'm not sure if a Canadian construction method could be used in the UK, but if it could we would see properties with much improved heating costs.

 

[Buckman]

We have friends who live in Kelowna in BC and apparently the winter in their area is quite mild in comparison to the rest of Canada. Actually not much different to the highveld winter in South Africa.

 

[Jcloughie]

Interesting that Santander report that in May this year figures show that buyers are prepared to pay more for more energy efficient homes. The averaged Premuim being £26.6k or 9.4%. Santander expects that figure will have increased over the summer sales period.

So more than I paid for this house in 1982.

John

 

[Christhecaravanner84]

Surprise surprise....

https://news.sky.com/story/dangerou...and-dodgy-ads-fail-fire-safety-tests-12817587

 

[otherclive]

Surprise surprise....

https://news.sky.com/story/dangerou...and-dodgy-ads-fail-fire-safety-tests-12817587

It was reported in last Saturdays Times, that’s why on the thread about controllers for solar panels I mentioned it and recommended purchasing from an established outlet and/or brand. The more so after seeing John C‘s battered battery. There are good quality Chinese products but buyers need to take some care in selecting what they require. The Which report also covered high levels safety defects on some brands of electric blankets and Christmas lights too as purchased from online sources such as EBay and Amazon.

 

[littlebasher]

Don't think i'll be clicking on the above link......

 

[Parksy]

Don't think i'll be clicking on the above link......

It was spam an has now been removed along with the spammer