Category Archives: Blog

How can I super insulate my walls – part four: ground and first floor …

We used Rockwool Cavity insulation because we believe it; Is very stable over the long term (it doesn’t slump); Doesn’t deteriorate when it gets wet; Is affordable; and Is readily available. On the large dining room window we couldn’t fit … Continue reading

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How can I super insulate my walls – part three: up out of the ground …

Having laid the two courses of dense concrete blocks were realised that a row of wall ties was required just below ground level.  To fit these we had to drill into the polystyrene and glue the wall ties in with … Continue reading

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How can I super insulate my walls – part two: below ground level

With the foundations laid the next step was blockwork and insulation below ground level. The blocks were stacked up around the site ready for laying. The existing brick walls needed to be cleaned to make sure the polystyrene insulation would … Continue reading

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How can I super insulate my walls – part one: foundations

We first considered external wall insulation with render then, because our neighbours were concerned about the change from brick walls and wouldn’t give us permission to do the back wall of our house, we switched to internal insulation throughout.  The … Continue reading

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How can I heat my super insulated house – part one

Whilst working at the Energy Saving Co-operative I learnt a lot from the Technical Lead Steve Harris.  Steve was the Head of Low Carbon Technology at the Energy Saving Trust, he worked with Bill Dunster on  BedZed and also with … Continue reading

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My plans for an ultra low energy house

Back in 2004/05 we did a crazy journey driving across the world from Oxford, England, to Oxford, New Zealand, in a 1954 Morris Oxford fundraising for the Red Cross.  It wasn’t meant to be an environmental journey but it did … Continue reading

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