Bouwbedrijf Dries LagemaatStart with what pays off most
Going green does not have to mean a full renovation. Working in the right order gets the most out of every step and stops you doing work that has to be opened up again later.
The shell first, the installation after
This is the most important rule and the most often ignored. A heat pump in a poorly insulated house has to work too hard, which gives a disappointing result and a high bill. So insulate the roof, the floor, the cavity and the glazing first, and only then choose the heating. The installation can then also be smaller and cheaper.
Where most heat escapes
In a typical nineteen-seventies home most heat leaves through the roof and the windows. Roof insulation is usually the first step, certainly if the attic is due for work anyway. Floor insulation above a crawl space is relatively cheap and noticeable underfoot. Cavity wall insulation is quickly done, but have the cavity checked for cleanliness and damp first.
Work with the natural moments
The cheapest improvement is the one you take along with work you were doing anyway. If the roof comes off, insulate at the same time. If the bathroom is renewed, lay in pipework for a heat pump. If the floor comes out, think about underfloor heating. That way you pay for the preparation only once.
Do not forget ventilation
The better you insulate and seal, the more important ventilation becomes. In a tightly sealed home without proper extraction, moisture builds up and that brings mould and a clammy atmosphere. Take ventilation into the plan, not as an afterthought.
Step by step, without doing work twice
Bouwbedrijf Dries Lagemaat guides renovations across the Veluwe from plan to delivery, looking at the house as a whole rather than at separate measures. Get in touch without obligation to talk through your plans.