Energy Refurbishment of Grade II Listed Farmhouse

This project involved the significant energy refurbishment of an existing listed building. The brief from the client was to make the house more sustainable removing the need for oil and using only electricity as a renewable energy.

The house is made up of three different sections, an early 16th century listed farmhouse, a converted Victorian barn, and a single storey 1980’s flat roof building which links these two elements.

Where possible, the existing fabric of the building was upgraded to reduce the heat loss. This involved replacing the insulation throughout the lofts of the farmhouse and Victorian barn, and replacing the single storey roof with a new flat roof with much better insulation. The existing windows and doors in the link and barn were replaced with new energy efficient triple glazed windows and doors. The existing windows in the farmhouse were upgraded with new vacuum glazing and draught stripping and the older leaded light windows had a secondary glazing panel fitted. The floor of the farmhouse was insulated where it was possible to gain access (above the cellar). The existing floor to the barn and link was partially removed to install insulation and underfloor heating in this area to work better with the air source heat pumps.

After improving the fabric, the services of the building were addressed. The existing oil boiler and radiators were removed, and two new air source heat pumps were installed to heat the hot water and the property. This was via underfloor heating in the barn and link, and radiators in the farmhouse. The heating was also zoned such that not all the areas of the property have to be kept at the same higher temperature when not in use. Two mechanical ventilation heat recovery systems (MVHR) were installed due to the size and layout of the property, one serving the barn and link, and the other serving the farmhouse utilising existing chimneys for ducting runs. By pre-heating incoming fresh air, this reduces the heat demand on the property and the constant supply of fresh air and removal of stale air keeps the house and occupants healthy. 74 of 295W photovoltaic panels were added to the Victorian barn and garage along with 13.5kWh battery storage which avoids the requirement to purchase electricity at peak rate costs.

As part of the energy refurbishment works, the barn and link also underwent an extensive renovation including installation of a new kitchen and forming a new ground floor ensuite and master bedroom such that the occupants could enjoy ground floor living making the house more suitable for their future needs.