In the 12 months to February 2005, we used 12,170 kilowatt hours of gas and 3,953 kilowatt hours of electricity. This was probably less than average for the type of property because it was already in reasonably good condition.
Middle terrace - neighbouring houses provide significant insulation (the hall and landing were noticeably colder when the house next door was empty one winter).
Alignment - the front of the house is north north-west facing so can be in line for cold winds in winter. The back of the house is more sheltered, is south south-east facing and benefits from morning sun.
Walls - the main structure is solid brick, while the later single storey extension at the back is of brick and breeze block cavity wall construction.
Roofs - the main roof is pitched and tiled and the ground floor extension has a flat roof. Neither were particularly good in 2005.
Doors - the wooden front door was new in 2000. The double glazed UPVC back door was fitted in 2001.
Windows - the original wooden sash-windows in the main house were replaced in 1997 with well-fitting double-glazed units. They looked nice but with only 12mm spacing were not very high spec. The extension windows were double-glazed with UPVC units with a 20mm gap.
Lighting -most main light bulbs were already of energy efficient type - CFLs.
Heating - gas combi boiler (installed 1998) plus a gas fire in the living room (installed 2002) but only used for supplementary heating.
Cooking - electric hob, oven and microwave.
