Back to “comfort, comfort, comfort.” But also, as John rightly notes, when maintenance and replacement is needed is the perfect time to also do upgrades.
I disagree that anyone should sacrifize historical preservation for energy efficiency retrofits. Many new high-performing homes and remodels with historical preservation guidelines are designed everyday in North America, and I know to have done many. Seems to me that one needs a better Designer or Architect.
As one of your UK readers, I may be able to add some detail as to why people are terrified of moisture build-up and mould here.
It is a real problem, many houses here have moisture problems, and fully sealing those houses without addressing the source of the moisture would exacerbate mould problems.
Of the many place I lived in over the past 6 years, only 1 had no mould problems (that was a victorian house in Edinburgh, build in 1899 which had the windows replaced). In my current flat (EPC E), I have a 10L dehumidifier running 24/7 and it cannot get humidity below 65%, so moisture is very much a problem, because this is not at all unusual around here.
This winter dehumidifiers have been sold out everywhere, as reduced heating due to high costs/Russia's invasion of Ukraine has made mould problems worse, and people were trying to fight mould getting worse from the lower temperatures
I admire your honesty. Dr John is correct about many things and also loves a good discussion. I enjoy his company. Balance is still a critical element to every conversation. We all need to admit however that the weights on the balance are shifting. Comfort always ranks higher than more esoteric issues, but the discussion on carbon is shifting.
Hey Lloyd, your trip to Amsterdam is going to take a lot of your 1.5 degree carbon budget this year, unless you're sailing with Greta. What are you going to do about it? Hint: find a credible offsetter! Then, write about it.
Appreciate you being diligent and discussing opposition to a previous post. Are there studies which compare the difference in effective U-Value between a typical double IGU and a restored window with storms? This would reveal the difference in thermal comfort which John is speaking to.
Back to “comfort, comfort, comfort.” But also, as John rightly notes, when maintenance and replacement is needed is the perfect time to also do upgrades.
I disagree that anyone should sacrifize historical preservation for energy efficiency retrofits. Many new high-performing homes and remodels with historical preservation guidelines are designed everyday in North America, and I know to have done many. Seems to me that one needs a better Designer or Architect.
Hi Lloyd,
As one of your UK readers, I may be able to add some detail as to why people are terrified of moisture build-up and mould here.
It is a real problem, many houses here have moisture problems, and fully sealing those houses without addressing the source of the moisture would exacerbate mould problems.
Of the many place I lived in over the past 6 years, only 1 had no mould problems (that was a victorian house in Edinburgh, build in 1899 which had the windows replaced). In my current flat (EPC E), I have a 10L dehumidifier running 24/7 and it cannot get humidity below 65%, so moisture is very much a problem, because this is not at all unusual around here.
This winter dehumidifiers have been sold out everywhere, as reduced heating due to high costs/Russia's invasion of Ukraine has made mould problems worse, and people were trying to fight mould getting worse from the lower temperatures
Great issue, Lloyd. Thanks for following up on those topics raised by comments. I’ll need to take note!
I admire your honesty. Dr John is correct about many things and also loves a good discussion. I enjoy his company. Balance is still a critical element to every conversation. We all need to admit however that the weights on the balance are shifting. Comfort always ranks higher than more esoteric issues, but the discussion on carbon is shifting.
Hey Lloyd, your trip to Amsterdam is going to take a lot of your 1.5 degree carbon budget this year, unless you're sailing with Greta. What are you going to do about it? Hint: find a credible offsetter! Then, write about it.
Appreciate you being diligent and discussing opposition to a previous post. Are there studies which compare the difference in effective U-Value between a typical double IGU and a restored window with storms? This would reveal the difference in thermal comfort which John is speaking to.