this post was submitted on 12 Jan 2024
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I just watched some video about Yakutsk Siberia which is meant to be the coldest city in the world. Thought "Those poor bastards, wonder what they need to wear indoors when it is -40 outside."

Turns out a pissing tank top and PJ bottoms. We really need to start demanding better things in this country don't we?

I'm also reading a book about coal mining. All the unpaid labour, minimising wages and dodgy things the bosses did then still happens now. Now I'm not a tankie so don't get the wrong idea here. But why are we all okay living like this I don't get it? Why is the UK population so forgiving at living it shit conditions.

Also I'm going to jump in before anyone says no insulation keeps you cold in the summer. Insulation works both ways, it can keep heat out or it can keep heat in. It's better in the summer and in the winter.

Siberia video in question:

https://youtu.be/K0z7Avc9ZtY?si=_KTob2YYMn2HLwkv

Also I hope I havent broken any rules. I can't see any. This seems mostly news posts but I guess text posts are allowed? Sorry if not.

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[–] jordanlund 16 points 11 months ago (4 children)
[–] [email protected] 18 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (2 children)

You landlord when you talk about what they need to do in regards to mould or insulation in your house.

My last place wouldn't let me go into the attic to see what insulation was up there and on the energy certificate the guy wrote "assumed" for the attic. Now sure there is a really low minimum level as a landlord and sure there is a free money given to you from the government if you install good insulation in the attic. But what's the point? It's just so much effort to make a couple of phone calls. It's far easier to just add to the contract that the tenant needs to heat their house sufficiently to prevent mould, no excuses. Then it's not your problem!

[–] [email protected] 12 points 11 months ago (3 children)

I would support additional taxes on Landlords inversely proportional to the energy rating of the house. Currently there is no incentive for landlords to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. At least when you "own" a house the action to improve it is on you.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I'd support some benefit for improving houses that are owned, too.
It's a bit frustrating if you decide to improve the insulation, but it doesn't move the needle on property value, because a large enough chunk of the market does not care.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

There are various insulation schemes you can apply for but they are usually limited in who can apply. You probably don't want to pay for Lord Farqwa upgrading his 16 bed converted wheel house pad.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

Indeed, currently I think it's band D or below for insulation quality, and household income of £30k.

[–] Womble 3 points 11 months ago

There were plans to introduce minimum energy efficiency requirements for landlords with fines for those who failed to meet the standards due to be coming in (I think) 2025. Guess what was first on the chopping block when Sunak decided his best chance of reelection was to become a climate sceptic?

[–] JustARaccoon 2 points 11 months ago

Bet they'll just pass on those costs to the renters

[–] [email protected] 10 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (2 children)

the tenant needs to heat their house sufficiently to prevent mould,

And make sure to open windows regularly to stop condensation, coincidentally letting out all the bastard heat.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 11 months ago

Lol no amount of heating or ventilating with negate the fact that when it rains hard outside it also rains inside my house. My landlord doesn't give a fuck but I still let him know every single time it is raining indoors so when he inevitably tries to shaft me out of my deposit I have records of telling him it needs fixing every fucking time -_-

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

Who needs extractor fans with gas heating?

The draft will sort it anyway.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 11 months ago (2 children)

I suspect it’s more that the requirements are lower and the buildings are on average older than in Yakutsk, which contribute to less effective insulation.

[–] GrabtharsHammer 13 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I think some motivation is that half-assing your shelter in Yakutsk is dangerous, not merely uncomfortable.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 11 months ago

The soviets are known for strict building code and untouchable policing

[–] [email protected] 4 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

We absolutely do, on new properties, and on change-of-use.
And we have requirements that rented properties have to at least hit a certain level. As wanderer says below, because of the state of the rental market, there are a lot of shitty landlords just ignoring what they can.

[–] killeronthecorner 4 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

For new builds, yes. But some houses in the UK are really fucking old. I lived in a house built in 1791. It didn't have any insulation and, due to listed building regulations, only had single glazed, wood framed windows.

There's a bit of contention between preservation and modernisation in that sense.

I still think it's a bit of a con with new builds as you get insulation but the walls are only a brick length thick generally.

[–] Nastybutler 4 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Alaskan here checking in. Most of the housing here is what we call stick frame, and it's usually framed with 2x4" spruce. In case you don't know 2x4s aren't actually 2 inches by 4 inches as they plane off the rough stuff so they're really about 1.8 x 3.8" if memory serves.

That means your outer walls usually only have 3.8" of space to stuff insulation between the outer barrier and the Sheetrock inside. Unless you use spray foam insulation which is more expensive, so most builders don't do that, so the cheaper insulation at that thickness isn't great.

I now live in the first house I've had with 2x6" framing, and let me tell you, that extra 2 inches makes a world of difference.

[–] reptar 5 points 11 months ago

1.5x3.5.

Not important but I couldn't move on