HELM Newsletter
To receive the quarterly HELM eNewsletter, please complete the form below
|
Home Information Pack graph information
| Improvement measure |
Compatibility with traditional building performance |
Risk of loss of character |
Reasons for caution
|
| Hot water cylinder and pipework insulation |
|
|
- Building fabric can be damaged during installation
- Old parts of the heating system may be protected by the listing
|
| Draught proofing |
|
|
- In most cases window should be repaired prior to draught proofing
- Difficult if the windows have moved far out of shape
- Difficult if the windows are older, metal-framed windows
- inappropriate if the doors or window are particularly fine or delicate
|
| Loft insulation |
|
|
- It is important that cold loft spaces are properly ventilated - insulation should not block ventililation
- If the roof space has signs of condensation or water ingress - insulation will be ineffective and may worsen the problem
- insulation must not be laid over electric cables since they may overheat and cause fire
|
| Cavity fill wall insulation |
|
|
- The risk of damp could be serious in houses with early cavity walls
|
| Solid wall insulation |
|
|
- Treatments are often incompatible with traditional building performance
- There are very few instances where this will not harm the historic significance or appearance of the wall, either internally or externally
- the cost is often prohibitive
|
| Double glazing |
|
|
- Will often result in significant change to the appearance of the building, and the irreversible loss of character
- The works are unlikely to be given consent if building is listed, in a conservation area, or is a traditional building in a national park, area of outstanding natural beauty or world heritage site
- In rare cases some old windows may have structural role (i.e they support the wall above)
|
| Secondary glazing |
|
|
- Where installation might stop the operation of functional shutters
- If the secondary glazing will be difficult to open, to clean , or remove (if required)
- inappropriate where windows are used as emergency exits
|
| Heat control upgrade |
|
|
- Take care not to damage historic fabric when laying new pipe or running wires
|
| Fuel change |
|
|
|
| Solar water heating |
|
|
- Unlikely to be granted permission if the building is listed, in a conservation area, or is a traditional building in a national park, area of outstanding natural beauty or world heritage site, unless it can be sited unobtrusively
- If the roofline is deflected
|
|
|
|