Renovated buildings · Heritage buildings

Scotstarvit Tower Cottage, Scotland

A single-storey stone cottage from 1850 in rural Fife, with no insulation and an old oil-fired boiler that made it hard for the tenant to heat. Historic Environment Scotland supported the landlord, the National Trust for Scotland, with a technical research grant. Airtightness improved by 50% and the tenant’s heating costs fell by 25%.

What was done

The oil-fired heating was replaced by a whole-house infrared system delivering radiant heat to every room. Floors, walls and roof were insulated with wood-fibre board and a blown material behind the existing wall linings, and secondary glazing was fitted to all windows. The chimney and hearth were kept open for controllable passive ventilation, and clay paint was used to buffer humidity and limit volatile organic compounds. The cottage looks much the same inside and out.

Energy performance

Air pressure testing after the works showed that airtightness had improved by 50%, to 10 ACH. The tenant’s heating costs fell by 25%, and carbon savings are much greater thanks to the move from oil to electric heating.

Project team

• Funding: Historic Environment Scotland technical research grant (Refurbishment Case Study 7)