DIY airtightness efficiency retrofit to odd 1920s house

[Plumsnson]

Hi all I'm plumsnson.

 

I'm planning to mostly DIY renovate my home with the ambition to retrofit in a high degree of airtightness and energy efficiency.

I have some experience retrofitting IWI, UFH and full renovation to a small flat, and helping a friend retrofit insulate slab for UFH & doing his bathroom etc.

 

I enjoy learning about building science and since this house needs substantial renovation regardless, and is small, I want to attempt a high standard for air & insulation - I need to look more in to EnerPHit but if the house performs well it'd be nice to test & accredit if this is affordable.

I envisage this will involve retrofit insulation (likely EWI with a vapour open outer) with thermal bridges addressed, unbroken airtightness layer inside, MHRV from loft space, thermal store in loft space, heat pump, UFH, south facing roof solar, and air tight wood stove (shoot me).

 

So should be easy. I know there is a wealth of experience and knowledge on this forum and we can advance collective knowledge through open sharing, so thanks for having me.

 

BG:

I've moved my family in to an odd little 1920s built house, end of a terrace of 4. 2 stories, hip roof.

They have a steel frame, posts in corners and one in middle that halves the span of the first floor. I've not yet uncovered how the wall top-plates are constructed.

Floor is one half suspended timber with only 200mm void below to hardcore, other half concrete.

Ground floor walls are block inner (awful crumbly garbage), 50mm empty cavity, brickwork outer.

First floor is single skin block with battens and tile outer!

Brick chimney breast, 1 fireplace downstairs, 2 upstairs.