Improving insulation to suit an Air Source Heat Pump - what are you doing?

Well the ASHP is running a new set of radiators, so I only need to worry about the warm air ducting for the winter months. I know it goes against the green credentials to use gas for that but I suppose I have to weigh up the cost of improvements v price of fuel.

So assuming I get the loft to something better than it is now (including the insulation crushed by the plumber putting in the radiator pipework ), and have the fireplace blocked up, what would be the most cost effective thing to tackle next ? 

Do you cavity walls @juliamc ?

And, if so, do they have insulation filling that cavity?

What construction has been used for the bungalow floor? Solid concrete slab with no insulation below it?

Yes, and yes.

Retrofit suggested the cavity wall insulation may have slumped so I could get a thermal image done to check that, have it removed if it is and refilled…. seemed a bit hit and miss as how would I know a second version would be any better ? Do you have any experience of that ?

The floor is very cold, scored badly on the report but I have hardwood flooring, 3 bedrooms carpeted, and big rug in sitting room. I wondered about heavier grade underlay, I’d like wool but we have those blasted carpet moths which would have a field day !

The price suggested to get to the ‘After’ condition is about £30000.

OOOOO I love a good loft image. 

I can see that Hydrosam is seeing this topic so I won’t tag them, but other heating trialists, just a quick tag to make sure you’re aware of this thread - it might be useful! @Rob Whitney @RAJ @mrmojorisin04 @Gingernut49 

The key with a cold attic is to ventilate it well. 

Re the loft insulation and ventilation @Transparent , @Rob Whitney  I’m not sure where any ventilation could be coming in - there are occasional gaps in the soffit boards (asbestos cement boards) but not in planned or sufficient form to be considered ventilation. Where on earth could it be coming from - assuming it is coming in at all ? Any thoughts?

please ignore missing board from my garden room !

Your posts were picked up as spam for some reason, @juliamc - I’ve restored these now. 

*Correction:  @Gingernut49 I’ve moved your comment and replies over to a new topic:

And I’m just copying stuff across from the tariff topic:

@juliamc wrote:

When you say ‘apart from the additional insulation works’ my installation is just the ASHP, hot water cylinder and new radiator system, any insulation and improvements in that area will be at my own expense, which is why I’m keen to find out more about where and what to spend it on. 

and then:

it seems the budget was all used up unfortunately. I do have a house full of expensive kit though !

I must be in the wrong job.

Could I get paid for filling customer houses with expensive kit and then charge even more to have them undertake renovations required to make that kit viable?!

Thanks @Tim_OVO  I have done a bit of nosing about and seen that some of my neighbours have added ventilation strips all along their soffits. Maybe they are just cement boards. not asbestos cement ? I’m not going to cut into them to find out ! Seems the houses were built with no ventilation to the loft, and of course v shallow insulation, if any, in 1969/70.

However, if the problem with ramming loft insulation into the soffit/eaves (re @Transparent’s diagram)  means soffit vents are rendered ineffective would using vent tiles further up the roof be the answer?

@Transparent I think that’s why it’s called a trial !! That and the fact the house is going to be freezing !!