Location
Reform Cottage & annexe, Little Birch
Hereford
Herefordshire
HR2 8AT
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Opening times
Opening times: Sunday 23rd November. One tour between 2 and 4pm - there's a lot to see and learn!
Please note: Small step into house, no other restrictions, downstairs toilet.
Other Turn up for house tour at 2pm
Gervase welcomes you to his Enerphit certified passive house retrofit of 1838 cottage with subsequent 20th and 21st century extensions. And he's currently coming towards the end of a deep retrofit of a small annexe which it will be possible to view. This unique little 1 bedroom dwelling has been retrofitted to a high level but with a very pragmatic approach and as far as practical using materials that were either left over from the homeowner’s own jobs or acquired as leftovers from others.
It's an example of what is possible with a very deep retrofit (which might not be for everyone).
Learn from an expert: Gervase is a low energy domestic refurbishment assessor and consultant
Waxwing EnergyModifications:
Cottage: External Insulation, floor insulation, triple glazed windows, roof insulation, thermal bridge details, very airtight, PV, MVHR, battery.
Annexe: Loft insulation, Interior and exterior wall insulation, floor insulation, triple glazed windows, MVHR.
Motivations:
Having done it to a previous house I could not go back, low carbon running costs, air quality and comfort.
Approximate costs:
It was very expensive. Lifetime home. Not for everyone.
Approximate energy savings:
Even without a heat pump and using electricity only before price increase it cost £400 a year for all fuel. 85% reduction of energy on previous situation.
Benefits:
Got modernised in process, walls now dry and safe, more comfortable.
Who did the work?
I (Waxwing Energy) designed and project managed, local builders and various trades did the work who i'd reccomend.
Next steps:
Heat pump coming soon. I rejected heat pump at the time (2018) because not convinced of technology then.
