See a 1680's Grade II listed house which has been made more energy-efficient: air source heat pump, secondary triple-glazing, under-floorboard insulation (two types), thermal wallpaper, thermal lime plaster, hemp insulation, solar panels, battery.
See how the owners are tackling the urgent need to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in a Grade II listed building in a conservation area. Includes details of materials, architect, specialist advisers, planning permission and installers.
Air source heat pump supplies all space and water heating in the property.
Two types of heat exchange fans.
The roof space has extensive insulation with hemp and Diathonite plaster to make rooms in the roof warmer in winter and cooler in summer solar.
All walls are solid. Some have been ‘papered’ with V600 thermal liner, others have been replastered with Diathonite Thermactive .037 insulating lime plaster.
Inefficient conservatory replaced with highly efficient triple glazing, and walls lined with wood-fibre insulation.
On the cold ground floor, a layer of high-efficiency insulation has been added below the wooden floorboards.
New double-glazed windows installed by ensuring traditional external and internal appearance and using inert gas filling and a barrel glass external layer.
Triple glazing of historic windows by using double secondary glazing.
On the rear roof, south-facing photovoltaic solar panels have been allowed because they are partially concealed.
Energy-storing batteries help make the best of the limited output of the photovoltaic solar panels.
A new high-spec wood burning stove was installed before the owners knew about the air pollution caused by stoves.
Timings & Tours
Friday 19 September: 10am - 5pm
Saturday 20 September: 10am - 5pm
Location & directions
Directions: 12 St. Swithun Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9JP
There is no on-street parking available in the immediate area. Park and Ride bus stop on Westgate is approx 10 mins walk - https://www.winchester.gov.uk/parking/park-and-ride/. Railway station approx 15 mins walk.
Contact on day: Christine Holloway
Telephone number: +447779283451
Booking information
Pre-booking requirement: Pre-booking preferred
Booking opens: 08 Aug 2025 12:00 AM
Booking closes: 10 Sep 2025 12:00 AM
Max no of people per tour: 16
Est. tour duration: 1 hour
Accessibility Details
Flat access through a wide door to the garden. Main access to the ground floor is up a small step. One step change of floor level between front and back of the house. There's a WC on the ground floor but it's not wide enough for some wheelchairs. 1st and 2nd floors are accessible only by stairs.
Additional Information
Hazards: pond in garden; low doors
Free retrofit/home energy advice available via WinACC's My Home Made Better project - https://www.winacc.org.uk/retrofit-for-older-homes/