Monica & Alan, Rusholme

After lots of hard work Alan and Monica have completed a full eco-refurbishment of their house which has included a number of measures to reduce energy consumption, make the house more thermally efficient and reduce their carbon footprint. They employed experienced contractors, but not ones that are specialists in those particular areas. After a lot of consideration Alan and Monica decided not to go for EWI or MVHR and this was based on positive decisions around their home use patterns and desires, rather than due to finance.

To find out more about how Monica and Alan planned their retrofit, found contractors and managed issues along the way see our report from a member social in which Alan spoke.  

Energy efficiency measures installed:

• Cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, room-in-roof insulation
• Triple glazing throughout (Green Building Store windows and doors). Unheated orangery on south side is double glazed.
• LED lighting throughout, AA or AAA rated appliances in kitchen
• Combi boiler
• Renewables heat and electricity
• Solar PV 3.75 kW on south facing roof
• Kitchen fronts made in spalted beech by cabinet maker using local timber purchased from local social enterprise TreeStation - a Chorlton tree - with the cabinets made from 0% formaldehyde MDF veneered in beech. Worksurface 100% recycled glass, semitransparent. Paints throughout the house are Lakeland, which is zero VOC and organic
• new room thermostat, all low temperature radiators downstairs so boiler can run at lower temperature, thermostatic radiator valves on all radiators

Travel information

• Nearest public transport: Oxford Road corridor – 50 or so buses an hour
• Parking on street or near by?    Yes, plenty

Accessibility

• Wheelchair access: 1 step up to house at the front, level access at rear

Additional information

The unalloyed joy that is a retrofit (PDF, 9MB)