If the Scottish Govt really wanted to decarbonise Scottish housing stock, they would be raising the standard of newbuilds. That would mean refusing planning permission to developments with internal kitchens and bathrooms, provide drying greens, and solar panels on the roof of all newbuilds. Edinburgh has been undergoing a building boom for the past two decades, but standards are actually lower.
My previous flat was built in the 1930s and had a drying green, windows on each floor of the stairwell (the stair lights came on at lighting up time) and the toilet was on an exterior wall with a window. My current 21st century flat is admittedly warmer, with a lower ceiling (which I don't like - my son is 6'4"!), but the bathroom and shower room are both internal and require electric pumps to flush, which are electric and noisy (not to mention the mould!) there is no drying green - of course, and the internal stairs and corridors require lighting to be on 24 hours per day, every day.
While I was looking to move here 15 years ago, I even saw new-build flats with internal kitchens. There should be a clear progress in eco standards, not developers clawing back to the lowest they can get away with.
Local authorities should be empowered to do whatever best suits their area, not forced to do what central govt says, however idiotic (and of course I'm looking at the Greens here).
I also think there is a lot of post-war housing that could be upgraded, which would help decarbonise and also help people with their bills. This would be a more meaningful "just transition" than handing contracts to Chinese or Scandinavian manufacturers, with no benefit to workers in Scotland.
I realise that wouldn't solve the specific problems of people in older properties like yours, Iain, but surely there would be lessons being learned at each stage which could be applied to properties that currently seem beyond help? And it would finally be a "Green" policy that actually benefits the general population, instead of costing or threatening us?
I had a flat in a Victorian tenement a decade ago- and at the back, over the shared green- several of the flats still had the wooden pulley things below the kitchen windows. They were absolutely brilliant!
I insulated the roof of my one and a half storey detached 100 year old sandstone home, one bedroom at a time.The lathe and plaster was a nightmare.So much dust.Once removed, then it was clean clean and clean again.Next it was fitting the insulation.You will only do this once so use the best you can afford, Kingspan or similar.I spent eight days fitting it inbetween the rafters and 2 inches over.Then plasterboard ,electrics etc. Watch out for heat escaping through the eaves and of course you must ventilate appropiately.For me this was a labour of love since it is my forever home.Get a good builder and expect tens of thou bill.I,m glad I did it fo the sheer comfort.
If the Scottish Govt really wanted to decarbonise Scottish housing stock, they would be raising the standard of newbuilds. That would mean refusing planning permission to developments with internal kitchens and bathrooms, provide drying greens, and solar panels on the roof of all newbuilds. Edinburgh has been undergoing a building boom for the past two decades, but standards are actually lower.
My previous flat was built in the 1930s and had a drying green, windows on each floor of the stairwell (the stair lights came on at lighting up time) and the toilet was on an exterior wall with a window. My current 21st century flat is admittedly warmer, with a lower ceiling (which I don't like - my son is 6'4"!), but the bathroom and shower room are both internal and require electric pumps to flush, which are electric and noisy (not to mention the mould!) there is no drying green - of course, and the internal stairs and corridors require lighting to be on 24 hours per day, every day.
While I was looking to move here 15 years ago, I even saw new-build flats with internal kitchens. There should be a clear progress in eco standards, not developers clawing back to the lowest they can get away with.
Local authorities should be empowered to do whatever best suits their area, not forced to do what central govt says, however idiotic (and of course I'm looking at the Greens here).
I also think there is a lot of post-war housing that could be upgraded, which would help decarbonise and also help people with their bills. This would be a more meaningful "just transition" than handing contracts to Chinese or Scandinavian manufacturers, with no benefit to workers in Scotland.
I realise that wouldn't solve the specific problems of people in older properties like yours, Iain, but surely there would be lessons being learned at each stage which could be applied to properties that currently seem beyond help? And it would finally be a "Green" policy that actually benefits the general population, instead of costing or threatening us?
I had a flat in a Victorian tenement a decade ago- and at the back, over the shared green- several of the flats still had the wooden pulley things below the kitchen windows. They were absolutely brilliant!
Sounds very practical! My 1930s flat had the pulley in the bathroom over the bath. I loved that too! My current flat has a tumble dryer. Of course! :(
I’m building a vented heated drying cupboard 🏆
I insulated the roof of my one and a half storey detached 100 year old sandstone home, one bedroom at a time.The lathe and plaster was a nightmare.So much dust.Once removed, then it was clean clean and clean again.Next it was fitting the insulation.You will only do this once so use the best you can afford, Kingspan or similar.I spent eight days fitting it inbetween the rafters and 2 inches over.Then plasterboard ,electrics etc. Watch out for heat escaping through the eaves and of course you must ventilate appropiately.For me this was a labour of love since it is my forever home.Get a good builder and expect tens of thou bill.I,m glad I did it fo the sheer comfort.
I was determined to go all electric, clean mean and green, in our open plan conversion from industrial to live/work space.
Bought expensive ‘super eco low cost to run’ radiators- rewarded with a £2k heating bill for three months.
Tried to get solar panels fitted on our flat roof- no grants available, and Scottish Power only does pitched roofs.
Spoke to our spark about electric underfloor heating- he rolled his eyes and said the running costs would be prohibitive.
Have just had gas installed.
Or, alternatively, in your particular case, move to ground floor, reasonably modern premises.