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Original poster

How cold is an old house?

112 replies

letsleepingbabieslie · 21/09/2021 17:38

Looking at buying a lovely 1860s farmhouse in Dorset. I think it's wonderful, but notice that it has solid walls (no insulation) and single-glazed sash windows. EPC is an F rating (27!).
I hate being cold. OUr current home is so cosy that we don't even need heating on most winter days.
If we can't spend a fortune on adding insulation and changing windows (which will ruin most of the character of the house) is it total madness to buy it? If you live in a similar property, how cold is it?!

OP posts:
BridgetInHerBravery · 21/09/2021 17:43

Mine is 1830s and we just accept that heating costs are a pay off for the space and character. If you can afford to heat it (whilst keeping it well ventilated) you'll be fine.

Sleepinghyena · 21/09/2021 17:46

Mine is 1820's,same construction. It's very cold. It's only just warm with the heating on. If you don't like being cold, it's probably not for you.

Original poster
letsleepingbabieslie · 21/09/2021 17:47

Thanks Bridget - I'd pay whatever it takes, I'm just worried that no amount of heating will actually warm it up because it will all dissipate. Do you find it will warm up if you're prepared to pay up?!

OP posts:
Original poster
letsleepingbabieslie · 21/09/2021 17:48

@sleepinghyena - can I ask how much heat you put into it? Are you maxing it out and still getting nothing? Or are you more restricted?

OP posts:
AllGonetoFuck · 21/09/2021 17:49

It will be really fucking cold and the price of energy is about to go through the roof

PiglingBlonde · 21/09/2021 17:50

We have an older house but same construction. We gap proofed as much as possible so doors and windrows have been fitted again so they're not draughty. It costs a fair bit to heat, but once it's up to heat we have thick curtains and shutters and actually it keeps the heat pretty well. Big socks and a jumper are more than enough!

SunbathingDragon · 21/09/2021 17:50

Very very cold.

MarthaJonesPhone · 21/09/2021 17:51

My house is an 1820's cottage. Its very cosy with the heating on.

I've got solid walls, no insulation. I didn't replace the single glazed windows as it would ruin the character but did have secondary glazing installed. Didn't get all the windows done as I couldn't afford it at the time. Never got round to doing the rest.

Initially I had stripped wood floors but found it a little chilly so put carpet down which made a big difference.

I think mine was E rated.

PiglingBlonde · 21/09/2021 17:52

My mum lives with us and is pretty immobile so we have to keep it warm - usually about 20 degrees. Gas mostly but we're going to install a heat pump and use it as a hybrid heating system.

FleasInMyKnees · 21/09/2021 17:52

When I am in Dorset the air gets pretty damp and cold especially if it's more rural. Is it stone floors. Can you link.

Original poster
letsleepingbabieslie · 21/09/2021 17:52

[putting fingers in my ears and only listening to the positive responses. lalalalala laaaaaaaa]

OP posts:
Spudina · 21/09/2021 17:53

You could add internal and loft insulation. Still don’t be as warm as your house. Sounds lovely though!!

ReeseWitherfork · 21/09/2021 17:55

1850s, fucking freezing. Never gets toasty. Heating seems to just take the chill off and I swear we seem to have it on constantly. It's detached which doesn't help. But plenty of insulation, we put extra rads in, loft is insulated.

Sleepinghyena · 21/09/2021 17:56

@letsleepingbabieslie
We put a new boilers and all new radiators in. We installed double glazing.
I'm not quite sure what you mean by maxing it out.
All radiators except our bedroom are turned up to max ( I like a cool bedroom)
Heating can be on 4 hours on an evening and still house isn't toasty. We have a log burner- this is the only way to make the sitting room feel warm enough in winter.
It doesn't retain the heat well because of lack of insulation.
If it is rural and not in a built up area, it will be colder than in a town setting.

Scarby9 · 21/09/2021 17:59

Cold.
Draughty, even with replacement (wood) double glazed windows and new insulted pantiled roof.
The chill slips down the chimneys and seeps up through the floor boards.
We wear a LOT of layers, and thick soled furry slipper boots from October to April.
But it is a lovely, lovely house!

BridgetInHerBravery · 21/09/2021 18:00

@letsleepingbabieslie

Thanks Bridget - I'd pay whatever it takes, I'm just worried that no amount of heating will actually warm it up because it will all dissipate. Do you find it will warm up if you're prepared to pay up?!
Yes! But we do have double glazing and decent external doors. You need decent carpet and curtains and soft furnishings too.

We have a back boiler in a chimney breast in the middle of the house which stays warm and acts like a giant radiator. Even in the coldest winters our heating goes off at 7 or 8 in the evening and the house stays warm. We have a woodburner in the lounge but it gets too hot so we rarely use it.

Sleepinghyena · 21/09/2021 18:00

Also- loft insulation is difficult/ not worth it if it has lots of different loft areas as old properties sometimes do. Often they are crawl spaces and difficult to insulate. We didn't qualify for any insulation grants as apparently it wouldn't make enough difference to meet the government's criteria to qualify.

borntobequiet · 21/09/2021 18:00

Cold. It will be cold. Some days it will feel warmer outside.

GemmaRuby · 21/09/2021 18:03

I lived in a Victorian terrace with single glazed windows for 3 months. It was only 3 months because we ended the lease early because it was unbearable.
The only time it was ever warm was when I came home from work and I’d accidentally left the heating on full blast all day. As soon as the heating went off it was very quickly freezing again.

You can get wooden framed double glazing I think… probably more pricey but would look nicer than pvc.

Insomniacexpress · 21/09/2021 18:07

It will be cold. If you have the budget you can get double glazed wood framed windows in a similar conservation style nowadays which are in keeping. There are other options , like keeping the original windows and having internal glass boxes fitted for another layer (can’t remember what they’re called). Would also look at quotes for roof insulation if it’s substandard.

KitBot · 21/09/2021 18:08

Our house is 1820s school house. Stone built, single glazed, stone floor, fairly open plan. It stays a pretty constant temperature. Cool in the summer, warm in winter. We have 2 wood fired stoves and oil fired central heating. We've used wool insulation in the roof space and thermal insulation plaster board on interior walls. We can get this house really warm if we need too.

ApplesAreTheBaneOfMyLife · 21/09/2021 18:10

I think you’d hate it!

Ours was built c1760, has no insulation and single glazed sash windows. It’s very cold but I hate being too hot. I literally can’t breathe in my SIL’s new build house. Currently 18 degrees inside, can fall to 12 in winter. We have warm zones - sitting rooms with wood burners and the kitchen with an aga. Central heating does little more than take the edge off the cold.

Anatomical · 21/09/2021 18:11

We have an 1820s cottage - stripped it back and added internal insulation and replica original windows with double glazing. Also added loft insulation and a new central heating system. It's still cold in the depths of winter unless the heating is on all day the time 😆

Normal temperature when I get up after a cold night is 14 degrees and I have been know to strap a hot water bottle to me during the day to save on heating as it costs a fortune. There are always blankets on the sofa!

Woodburner works well but only for one room.

Wouldn't live anywhere else though Grin

PotteringAlong · 21/09/2021 18:13

It will be freezing. The construction is probably fine (ours also solid brick wall, no cavity) BUT we also have double glazed windows because they were replaced. And it’s still pretty cold at times. Now, I don’t mind because I don't like it hot in the house, but it’s a proper duvet on the settee job in the winter. And that’s with open fires downstairs.

Anatomical · 21/09/2021 18:13

We know that our main heat loss now is through the stone floors and original doors - but there's a limit as to how many original features we are willing to alter!