We have just had our 1930's semi, cavity wall insulation done on the
government scheme. It cost us £150 up here in chilly North Yorkshire.

The difference in house temperature is remarkable. Well ... not just
the temperature. The house holds the heat for ages before the combi
kicks in to keep the temp at 20deg.
I was pretty sceptical about it all at first, but at £150 I thought it
was worth it.
It was

There have been a couple of threads on here re these schemes, where
posters have asked if it was a good thing to do, so I thought I would
just pass on my observations

wrote:
We have just had our 1930's semi, cavity wall insulation done on the
government scheme. It cost us £150 up here in chilly North Yorkshire.

The difference in house temperature is remarkable. Well ... not just
the temperature. The house holds the heat for ages before the combi
kicks in to keep the temp at 20deg.
I was pretty sceptical about it all at first, but at £150 I thought it
was worth it.
It was

There have been a couple of threads on here re these schemes, where
posters have asked if it was a good thing to do, so I thought I would
just pass on my observations

Been meaning to ask - when "they" do an installation, do they fill the
cavity between semis or terraced houses?

--
Rod

Hypothyroidism is a seriously debilitating condition with an insidious
onset.
Although common it frequently goes undiagnosed.
www.thyromind.info www.thyroiduk.org www.altsupportthyroid.org

wrote in message
...
We have just had our 1930's semi, cavity wall insulation done on the
government scheme. It cost us £150 up here in chilly North Yorkshire.

The difference in house temperature is remarkable. Well ... not just
the temperature. The house holds the heat for ages before the combi
kicks in to keep the temp at 20deg.
I was pretty sceptical about it all at first, but at £150 I thought it
was worth it.
It was

There have been a couple of threads on here re these schemes, where
posters have asked if it was a good thing to do, so I thought I would
just pass on my observations

We're in Leeds, Yorkshire.

We had our cavities (walls, not teeth) filled donkeys' years ago and the
difference was instant. I'm sure the financial savings have more than paid
for it too.

Mary

Rod wrote:
wrote:
We have just had our 1930's semi, cavity wall insulation done on the
government scheme. It cost us £150 up here in chilly North
Yorkshire. The difference in house temperature is remarkable. Well ...
not just
the temperature. The house holds the heat for ages before the combi
kicks in to keep the temp at 20deg.
I was pretty sceptical about it all at first, but at £150 I thought
it was worth it.
It was

There have been a couple of threads on here re these schemes, where
posters have asked if it was a good thing to do, so I thought I would
just pass on my observations

Been meaning to ask - when "they" do an installation, do they fill the
cavity between semis or terraced houses?

No...although some may go down there accidentally, it's not purposely
filled, only exterior walls are filled and walls between properties are not
exposed to the elements.
There's another reason why it is bad practice and that is the potential for
blocking flues which may be on this wall, and the added problem of neghbours
who may be absent / unwilling and whose flues cannot be checked.

Rod wrote:
wrote:
We have just had our 1930's semi, cavity wall insulation done on the
government scheme. It cost us £150 up here in chilly North
Yorkshire. The difference in house temperature is remarkable. Well ...
not just
the temperature. The house holds the heat for ages before the combi
kicks in to keep the temp at 20deg.
I was pretty sceptical about it all at first, but at £150 I thought
it was worth it.
It was

There have been a couple of threads on here re these schemes, where
posters have asked if it was a good thing to do, so I thought I would
just pass on my observations

Been meaning to ask - when "they" do an installation, do they fill the
cavity between semis or terraced houses?

Rod,

When they cavity fill a single house in a semi or terrace, they fit a
flexible 'brush' in the cavity between the properties to stop the overspill.

BRG

BRG wrote:
Rod wrote:
wrote:
We have just had our 1930's semi, cavity wall insulation done on the
government scheme. It cost us £150 up here in chilly North
Yorkshire. The difference in house temperature is remarkable. Well
... not just
the temperature. The house holds the heat for ages before the combi
kicks in to keep the temp at 20deg.
I was pretty sceptical about it all at first, but at £150 I thought
it was worth it.
It was

There have been a couple of threads on here re these schemes, where
posters have asked if it was a good thing to do, so I thought I
would just pass on my observations

Been meaning to ask - when "they" do an installation, do they fill
the cavity between semis or terraced houses?

Rod,

When they cavity fill a single house in a semi or terrace, they fit a
flexible 'brush' in the cavity between the properties to stop the
overspill.
BRG

He means in the party wall

Phil L wrote:
Rod wrote:
wrote:
We have just had our 1930's semi, cavity wall insulation done on the
government scheme. It cost us �150 up here in chilly North
Yorkshire. The difference in house temperature is remarkable. Well ...
not just
the temperature. The house holds the heat for ages before the combi
kicks in to keep the temp at 20deg.
I was pretty sceptical about it all at first, but at �150 I thought
it was worth it.
It was

There have been a couple of threads on here re these schemes, where
posters have asked if it was a good thing to do, so I thought I would
just pass on my observations

Been meaning to ask - when "they" do an installation, do they fill the
cavity between semis or terraced houses?

No...although some may go down there accidentally, it's not purposely
filled, only exterior walls are filled and walls between properties are not
exposed to the elements.
There's another reason why it is bad practice and that is the potential for
blocking flues which may be on this wall, and the added problem of neghbours
who may be absent / unwilling and whose flues cannot be checked.


Thanks. Behind our stack pipe in the downstairs toilet there had been a
series of gaps at the ends of the lightweight blocks. Although boxed in,
the wind that came in there was phenomenal. I have attacked that
properly but it left me thinking that there would still be that gale
between the leaves of the wall between the houses. Hence the question.

--
Rod

Hypothyroidism is a seriously debilitating condition with an insidious
onset.
Although common it frequently goes undiagnosed.
www.thyromind.info www.thyroiduk.org www.altsupportthyroid.org

Phil L wrote:
BRG wrote:
Rod wrote:
wrote:
We have just had our 1930's semi, cavity wall insulation done on the
government scheme. It cost us �150 up here in chilly North
Yorkshire. The difference in house temperature is remarkable. Well
... not just
the temperature. The house holds the heat for ages before the combi
kicks in to keep the temp at 20deg.
I was pretty sceptical about it all at first, but at �150 I thought
it was worth it.
It was

There have been a couple of threads on here re these schemes, where
posters have asked if it was a good thing to do, so I thought I
would just pass on my observations

Been meaning to ask - when "they" do an installation, do they fill
the cavity between semis or terraced houses?
Rod,

When they cavity fill a single house in a semi or terrace, they fit a
flexible 'brush' in the cavity between the properties to stop the
overspill.
BRG

He means in the party wall


I did. I do. But thanks.

In our case the next door house is stepped from ours so the insulant
would not fall along the way into the neighbour's cavity. However, that
makes me realise that the stepped bit *is* external wall and would need
insulation.

--
Rod

Hypothyroidism is a seriously debilitating condition with an insidious
onset.
Although common it frequently goes undiagnosed.
www.thyromind.info www.thyroiduk.org www.altsupportthyroid.org

Phil L wrote:
BRG wrote:
Rod wrote:
wrote:
We have just had our 1930's semi, cavity wall insulation done on
the government scheme. It cost us £150 up here in chilly North
Yorkshire. The difference in house temperature is remarkable. Well
... not just
the temperature. The house holds the heat for ages before the combi
kicks in to keep the temp at 20deg.
I was pretty sceptical about it all at first, but at £150 I thought
it was worth it.
It was

There have been a couple of threads on here re these schemes, where
posters have asked if it was a good thing to do, so I thought I
would just pass on my observations

Been meaning to ask - when "they" do an installation, do they fill
the cavity between semis or terraced houses?

Rod,

When they cavity fill a single house in a semi or terrace, they fit a
flexible 'brush' in the cavity between the properties to stop the
overspill.
BRG

He means in the party wall

Phil L,

Many party walls are *not* cavities, especially in older properties. They
are usually 9" or 13" solid brickwork - although there are the exceptions.

BRG

BRG wrote:
Phil L wrote:
BRG wrote:
Rod wrote:
wrote:
We have just had our 1930's semi, cavity wall insulation done on
the government scheme. It cost us �150 up here in chilly North
Yorkshire. The difference in house temperature is remarkable. Well
... not just
the temperature. The house holds the heat for ages before the combi
kicks in to keep the temp at 20deg.
I was pretty sceptical about it all at first, but at �150 I thought
it was worth it.
It was

There have been a couple of threads on here re these schemes, where
posters have asked if it was a good thing to do, so I thought I
would just pass on my observations

Been meaning to ask - when "they" do an installation, do they fill
the cavity between semis or terraced houses?
Rod,

When they cavity fill a single house in a semi or terrace, they fit a
flexible 'brush' in the cavity between the properties to stop the
overspill.
BRG
He means in the party wall

Phil L,

Many party walls are *not* cavities, especially in older properties. They
are usually 9" or 13" solid brickwork - although there are the exceptions.

BRG

Because of the stagger between us and next door, the front and back of
the house would have to have a stretch of full cavity wall along the
party wall. To reduce that to 9" on the part that is common would cause
there to be a step in the wall. There does not appear to be such a step
but I shall re-check tomorrow in case it is not obvious. For now, I
assume full cavity right the way through. Hence the original question.

That in turn raises the question of what happens if we get CWI done. Do
we need permission from the neighbours? Should they contribute to any
costs (on the basis of mutual advantage)?

Oh - no flues or anything else I can think of that would complicate this
technically.

--
Rod

Hypothyroidism is a seriously debilitating condition with an insidious
onset.
Although common it frequently goes undiagnosed.
www.thyromind.info www.thyroiduk.org www.altsupportthyroid.org

Rod wrote:
BRG wrote:
Phil L wrote:
BRG wrote:
Rod wrote:
wrote:
We have just had our 1930's semi, cavity wall insulation done on
the government scheme. It cost us ?150 up here in chilly North
Yorkshire. The difference in house temperature is remarkable.
Well ... not just
the temperature. The house holds the heat for ages before the
combi kicks in to keep the temp at 20deg.
I was pretty sceptical about it all at first, but at ?150 I
thought it was worth it.
It was

There have been a couple of threads on here re these schemes,
where posters have asked if it was a good thing to do, so I
thought I would just pass on my observations

Been meaning to ask - when "they" do an installation, do they fill
the cavity between semis or terraced houses?
Rod,

When they cavity fill a single house in a semi or terrace, they
fit a flexible 'brush' in the cavity between the properties to
stop the overspill.
BRG
He means in the party wall

Phil L,

Many party walls are *not* cavities, especially in older properties.
They are usually 9" or 13" solid brickwork - although there are the
exceptions. BRG

Because of the stagger between us and next door, the front and back of
the house would have to have a stretch of full cavity wall along the
party wall. To reduce that to 9" on the part that is common would
cause there to be a step in the wall. There does not appear to be
such a step but I shall re-check tomorrow in case it is not obvious.
For now, I assume full cavity right the way through. Hence the
original question.

Rod,

If there is a cavity between in the party wall, then to fill this would
require drilling holes in an internal wall with the correseponding costs of
redecoration etc.

It is also possible that if this party wall is in fact a cavity, then the
contractors would have fitted a cavity brush as close a possibe to the
"stagger" between the buidings to prevent the cavity fill from 'slumping'
into the void due to a lack of support.

That in turn raises the question of what happens if we get CWI done.
Do we need permission from the neighbours? Should they contribute to
any costs (on the basis of mutual advantage)?

In theory, to drill and fill a party wall, you would need to comply with the
Party Wall Act in giving notice to the neighbours - with all the
corresponding paperwork and possible appointment of Party Wall inspectors.

With regards to costs, you would not be able to 'force' the neighnours into
paying a share - but you would be liable for any damage caused to their
property by vibration etc.

BRG

BRG wrote:
Rod wrote:
BRG wrote:
Phil L wrote:
BRG wrote:
Rod wrote:
wrote:
We have just had our 1930's semi, cavity wall insulation done on
the government scheme. It cost us ?150 up here in chilly North
Yorkshire. The difference in house temperature is remarkable.
Well ... not just
the temperature. The house holds the heat for ages before the
combi kicks in to keep the temp at 20deg.
I was pretty sceptical about it all at first, but at ?150 I
thought it was worth it.
It was

There have been a couple of threads on here re these schemes,
where posters have asked if it was a good thing to do, so I
thought I would just pass on my observations

Been meaning to ask - when "they" do an installation, do they fill
the cavity between semis or terraced houses?
Rod,

When they cavity fill a single house in a semi or terrace, they
fit a flexible 'brush' in the cavity between the properties to
stop the overspill.
BRG
He means in the party wall
Phil L,

Many party walls are *not* cavities, especially in older properties.
They are usually 9" or 13" solid brickwork - although there are the
exceptions. BRG

Because of the stagger between us and next door, the front and back of
the house would have to have a stretch of full cavity wall along the
party wall. To reduce that to 9" on the part that is common would
cause there to be a step in the wall. There does not appear to be
such a step but I shall re-check tomorrow in case it is not obvious.
For now, I assume full cavity right the way through. Hence the
original question.

Rod,

If there is a cavity between in the party wall, then to fill this would
require drilling holes in an internal wall with the correseponding costs of
redecoration etc.

It is also possible that if this party wall is in fact a cavity, then the
contractors would have fitted a cavity brush as close a possibe to the
"stagger" between the buidings to prevent the cavity fill from 'slumping'
into the void due to a lack of support.

That in turn raises the question of what happens if we get CWI done.
Do we need permission from the neighbours? Should they contribute to
any costs (on the basis of mutual advantage)?

In theory, to drill and fill a party wall, you would need to comply with the
Party Wall Act in giving notice to the neighbours - with all the
corresponding paperwork and possible appointment of Party Wall inspectors.

With regards to costs, you would not be able to 'force' the neighnours into
paying a share - but you would be liable for any damage caused to their
property by vibration etc.

BRG


Thank you. I have now checked - the interior party wall is precisely
lined up with the "stagger" so the wall (and I am sure it is the same on
the neighbour's side as well) must have a cavity.

How far can they "reach" from a hole along a cavity wall? Is it just the
immediate vicinity of the hole or can they feed a pipe in and fill it
some distance away? (I was more aware of the details back in the days of
polyurethane foam!)

--
Rod

Hypothyroidism is a seriously debilitating condition with an insidious
onset.
Although common it frequently goes undiagnosed.
www.thyromind.info www.thyroiduk.org www.altsupportthyroid.org

Mary Fisher wrote:


We had our cavities (walls, not teeth) filled donkeys' years ago and the
difference was instant. I'm sure the financial savings have more than paid
for it too.

Mary


When you look at the cost of installing cavity insulation, and
increasing loft insulation, it's amazing that more people don't do them.
Especially loft insulation which is dirt cheap. As you say the cost is
repaid in a very short time, perhaps months at present in a larger
house. I just spent 40 pounds increasing my loft from 10 to 20 cm and
the difference was noticeable on oil consumption. Just in time too! And
yet people are persuaded to spend many thousands on double glazing, when
their window frames are fine, which takes decades to pay back unless the
windows are huge.

If you are willing to spend a bit you can shake off the puritanical
demands to put on outdoor clothes indoors and turn down the thermostats
to red-nose levels. There's no need for that, nor for pensioners to be
cold.

Peter Scott

"Peter Scott" wrote in message
...


If you are willing to spend a bit you can shake off the puritanical
demands to put on outdoor clothes indoors and turn down the thermostats to
red-nose levels. There's no need for that, nor for pensioners to be cold.

Effective insulation is vital for comfort as well as for saving money and
fuel.

We're anything but puritanical and we are pensioners.

There's no need to put on outdoor clothes indoors but an extra layer of
indoor clothing (a jumper for instance) is personal insulation and makes a
lot of sense. A 12 yo grand daughter has just been this weekend and was
complaining about being cold. She was wearing a very thin floaty dress and
wouldn't put on another layer because it wasn't 'cool'. So she stayed cold
while everyone else (including her sister) was warm.

Our roomstat is set at 10c and we never have red noses. Nor do we have
colds.

I agree that there's no need for anyone to be cold but wasting resources is
stupid when donning a sweatshirt would keep one warm.

By the way, because of our insulation (including self installed double
glazing which did NOT cost thousands) our winter heating grant pays for more
than half of our annual gas consuption and that includes cooking.

Mary

On Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:20:26 -0000, "Mary Fisher"
wrote:


"Peter Scott" wrote in message
...


If you are willing to spend a bit you can shake off the puritanical
demands to put on outdoor clothes indoors and turn down the thermostats to
red-nose levels. There's no need for that, nor for pensioners to be cold.

Effective insulation is vital for comfort as well as for saving money and
fuel.

We're anything but puritanical and we are pensioners.

There's no need to put on outdoor clothes indoors but an extra layer of
indoor clothing (a jumper for instance) is personal insulation and makes a
lot of sense. A 12 yo grand daughter has just been this weekend and was
complaining about being cold. She was wearing a very thin floaty dress and
wouldn't put on another layer because it wasn't 'cool'. So she stayed cold
while everyone else (including her sister) was warm.

Our roomstat is set at 10c and we never have red noses. Nor do we have
colds.

I agree that there's no need for anyone to be cold but wasting resources is
stupid when donning a sweatshirt would keep one warm.

For 10c, yes a swearshirt, but also gloves a ski mask and seal skin
parker. Arn't you worried that their memories of you will be "that
lady with the freezing house"?





By the way, because of our insulation (including self installed double
glazing which did NOT cost thousands) our winter heating grant pays for more
than half of our annual gas consuption and that includes cooking.

Mary

"Keith2.0" wrote in message
news
On Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:20:26 -0000, "Mary Fisher"
wrote:


"Peter Scott" wrote in message
...


If you are willing to spend a bit you can shake off the puritanical
demands to put on outdoor clothes indoors and turn down the thermostats
to
red-nose levels. There's no need for that, nor for pensioners to be
cold.

Effective insulation is vital for comfort as well as for saving money and
fuel.

We're anything but puritanical and we are pensioners.

There's no need to put on outdoor clothes indoors but an extra layer of
indoor clothing (a jumper for instance) is personal insulation and makes a
lot of sense. A 12 yo grand daughter has just been this weekend and was
complaining about being cold. She was wearing a very thin floaty dress and
wouldn't put on another layer because it wasn't 'cool'. So she stayed cold
while everyone else (including her sister) was warm.

Our roomstat is set at 10c and we never have red noses. Nor do we have
colds.

I agree that there's no need for anyone to be cold but wasting resources
is
stupid when donning a sweatshirt would keep one warm.

For 10c, yes a swearshirt, but also gloves a ski mask and seal skin
parker. Arn't you worried that their memories of you will be "that
lady with the freezing house"?

Not at all. You're displaying an ignorance of a thermostat. Remember that
the roomstat doesn't determine the heat of the house - it means that the ch
boiler doesn't fire unless the temperature gets down to 10C.

There are enough other sources of heat in the very well insulated house that
the temperature very rarely gets down to 10C.

People usually take off their jumpers, jackets or sweatshirts when they come
into our house. I have had complaints that the house is too warm.

Mary

"Peter Scott" wrote in message
...


Mary Fisher wrote:


We had our cavities (walls, not teeth) filled donkeys' years ago and the
difference was instant. I'm sure the financial savings have more than
paid for it too.

Mary

When you look at the cost of installing cavity insulation, and increasing
loft insulation, it's amazing that more people don't do them. Especially
loft insulation which is dirt cheap. As you say the cost is repaid in a
very short time, perhaps months at present in a larger house. I just spent
40 pounds increasing my loft from 10 to 20 cm and the difference was
noticeable on oil consumption. Just in time too! And yet people are
persuaded to spend many thousands on double glazing, when their window
frames are fine, which takes decades to pay back unless the windows are
huge.

If you are willing to spend a bit you can shake off the puritanical
demands to put on outdoor clothes indoors and turn down the thermostats to
red-nose levels. There's no need for that, nor for pensioners to be cold.

£150 is the cost of an overcoat you would wear in he house.