I live in a big old Victorian house and it's freezing, how can I keep the warmth in?

Question

Sorry, as usual didn't give enough info! I rent the house and we already have central heating. Thanks.

Answer 1

if your only renting just try jumping around doing starjumps til your worn out then go to bed and snuggle under the covers

Answer 2

If you own it, check the cavity wall insulation and install or replace .... add some double glazing, loft insulation and central heating. And some simple things like draught excluders around your letterbox and at the bottom of doors (you can get some that attach to the door so that it moves when they do.

There are grants available from your local government to help with insulation costs....

If you rent badger the landlord to do the same!

If you cannot replace windows with double glazing, you can install 'secondary glazing' quite cheaply... this is simply another 'layer' (usually plastic) that fits on the inside of your current windows. NOT as efficient as those UPVC things, but not as horrid looking from the outside - they can really clash with some really old buildings....

There are some companies who make wooden double glazing, but they are a little more expensive, usually.

But DO get something sorted out... it is horrible to live in a freezing cold house. Been there... would do almost anything to not be there again!

Answer 3

Depends how much time you've got and how much you want to spend.

Start with the loft space. You need at least 4 inches of insulation. If you've got less, you may be able to get a local authority grant.

Now look at the windows. They probably don't fit very well. New ones are expensive and are unlikely to suit the building. You could try secondary double glazing (they sell kits in Homebase). Or if you want to be really cheapskate, fix bubble wrap over the windows using the clips you can get from the garden centre for lining greenhouses.

A lot of your heat goes through the walls. Victorian houses don't have cavity walls so all you can do is insulate the inside. A drastic solution is to cover the inside of the external walls with solid cavity wall insulation and cover it with perlboard. This will make your rooms 2 inches smaller and will upset your cornices. Otherwise, start embroidering tapestries.

Answer 4

If you rent it, contactyour landlord. If it is yours, then roof lagging and insulation is the single and most effective solution since most heat is lost from the roof. Your local council may even give you a small grant, or your electricity company.
Double glazing can be expensive but, at this time of year, you might get a good deal. Not a lot of people buy home improvements just after Xmas so you can negotiate. Some DIY stores sell a type of cling-film that you place over the windows with sticky tape and, using a hairdryer, you can heat the film and it tightens over the windows and seals the cracks. That's cheap and good, but you can't open the windows.
Your energy company - gas and electricity - may perform a free energy efficient 'audit' and come and check over the house and give you ideas. As I said, there's some grants available out there.

Answer 5

I live in a victorian house as well, back then they were'nt as good with insulation as they are now. Try checking if your attic is insulated and inbetween the walls also, of course it depends wether you rent or own this house but you could make sure there are working heaters in each room, and try putting down draught excluders at the doorways.

Answer 6

just for the time being and the cheapest way to go do this: first cover your windows with plastic sheeting this will make a huge difference and might be all you need for now. put new insulation strips around your doors. if possible lay down plastic sheeting on the floor of the attic and staple it down. a lot of heat escapes through the ceiling in old houses. also close off any rooms not in use for the winter. if you have fireplaces make sure they are closed off too.
good luck
keep warm

Answer 7

Start with eliminating all draughts, this can make a cosiderable difference. get those strips that the doors shut back on, also use the foam that sticks to the door rebates. If you have a hollow floor see what drafts are coming up around the skirting, and plug those

Answer 8

Well if you are having a big heating problem a new boiler would always help!!!!
If, however, you cannot afford it, then you should try and buy a small heater in each room which are only around £10.00 and will probably be altogether warmer than a boiler and definately a lot cheaper!!!!

Answer 9

I have been told by a home cavity-wall insulation company - that the one most important things to do to keep the heat in is DRAUGHT-PROOF THE LOFT HATCH.
We've just done it, and it seems to be OK - time will tell. It is supposed to improve efficiency.

Answer 10

If you don't want to do any DIY or spend a lot of money, get nice thick curtains and keep them closed at night, really makes a difference. Draught excluders for doors are also good, and keep all doors closed when possible