Christ Church Oxford
March 2010
The Customer
A 200 year old farm house in Binsey, Oxford, owned by Christ Church and brimming with character and charm.
The Challenge
Period buildings are not well known for their energy-saving properties and this beautiful former farm house was no exception. Built within a Conservation Area and of solid wall construction, any insulation solution would have to be installed without compromising the aesthetics of the farm house or its surroundings.
Common solutions such as cavity or external wall insulation were simply not options, but with energy prices soaring, Christ Church was keen to fnd a way of reducing the heating bills for the property.
A further challenge was fnding a route around the potential costs that would be involved in any insulation project – so a review of grants and funding options needed to be undertaken.
The Solution
After consultations with industry experts at the Mark Group and insulation specialist, Knauf, the most suitable option for the farm house was to install internal wall insulation.This energy-saving solution would require a complete internal refurbishment of the property, but this was considered a small price to pay for the long term benefts of a reduction in heating bills. Furthermore, Christ Church was able to access a grant through the Energy Saving Trust’s Green Communities programme, which made a substantial difference to its capital outlay.
Following a comprehensive survey of the farm house, Knauf’s Ecostud Internal Wall Insulation System was recommended – a quick an easy-to-install option, perfect for the thermal upgrade of solid wall properties. Simplistically, the system is made up of high performance thermal studs and a water-repellent glass mineral wool insulator. Once fxed in place, the walls are then drylined with plasterboard, leaving a fresh clean surface for interior redecoration.
Insulation work was carried out by the Mark Group within a matter of weeks, which including rectifying the uneven walls of the 200 year old property. And now, following the frosty winter of 2009/10, Christ Church is already reaping the rewards of the insulation leaving the property achieving current thermal standards – both in terms of its fuel bills and the comfort of its tenants.
Case studies
- East Midlands Housing Association March 2010
- Jill Hughes February 2010
- Toddlers Triumph February 2010
Latest news
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