Le Rosbif vert

Thanks again Idun. Yes these are really good I saw them in a hotel in Lapland. The secondary units with Double glazing are extremely efficient unfortunately I don't think that the design of the windows will let us do this in an ascetically acceptable way.

Thanks Pomme, so I will need at least 24mm to fit new (high efficiency) DG glass panels into the existing casements, that might be a challenge. I will need to consider the extra weight on the frames if I go down the replacement casement option too, so I might just be better buying new frames as well and saving myself a whole load of hassle!

Thanks again Mint. Yes I remember the advert Ted Moult but I think it was Everest. I have put neoprene strips around some of the draughty windows/door openers. I tried the foam stuff first but that keeps peeling off. The other windows/doors are tight fitting and don't have enough gap, which is good. The wooden frames are inset into a concrete surround so there is little draught from around the frame and we do have the traditional French beading around the edge of the frames on the inside too that is a boon for decorating and helps. The issue is really the glass itself so in order of investigation I think I will need to see; What the size of the rebate is on the windows so I can determine if I can fit either new DG sealed units or thicker glass. If this isn't possible then its either change the casements for new DG units or change the whole window including the frame. Thanks again to everyone who has taken the time to respond to my post and make suggestions, your help has been very much appreciated.

Thanks Idun. wow you were brave having a house built, I have problems getting Artisans to come out at all! We have been waiting/chasing for a quote (from a reputable local company) for an airsource heat pump to replace an old oil heating system since last April! I've given up on that for now and thought I would look at improving the insulation instead, although new windows look as though they are going to cost me a lot.

Thanks Norman. Tryba have a depot in Tarbes so it looks like a day spent travelling the menuiseries! My wife is going to Love that! The odd thing about the ADBF decision is that there are other houses nearer to the Church than us that do have UPVC, but having said that I have agree with them that the properties with UPVC don't look as nice as those with the traditional wooden frames.

Thanks Mint. Yes we do have good wooden shutters and being British we have also put up thick curtains. This is great in the evening when we lock ourselves down for the night but in the day time it means we can't see the wonderful views of the mountains down the valley. I had wondered about just changing the glass panes for double glazing but wasn't sure if that was going to be even more work making the rebate bigger to fit the increased width. I have to admit I hadn't thought about just fitting thicker glass!

Many thanks for replying, I think there is a double glazing firm in Lourdes perhaps i'll ask them to come and give me a quote too.

Unfortunately Architectes des Bâtiments de France have told us that we cant have UPVC as we are in a conservation area (within 500m of an historic church). Looking at the link you sent me Lapeyre seem to do custom sizes in wood (house only built in 70s but nothing standard size so far!) so that may be the best way forward. Many thanks for taking the time to reply.

Many thanks. The house was built in the 70s so I'm fully expecting the windows to be non standard sizes like everything else I've had to update. We have a Brico Depot not far away I'll measure up and see if they can help. Cheers.

I have single glazed windows and doors, that are not efficient at keeping heat in our house in the Pyrenees. All the woodwork is sound so its just the eco efficiency I am worried about. Can I simply replace the openers with double glazed units and if so which builders merchants are the best to supply them. Or Do I have to buy new windows and frames. Obviously the former is easier to do as there would be no mess/redecoration required. Hope this makes sense. Thanks in advance for your advice.

Thanks Lehaut, I wasn't aware of the government announcement although I'm not surprised. As you say the timescales for removal are "optimistic" but they always have the option of raising the taxes. We are in a rural area in the Pyrenees and I am not aware of anyone using LPG, definitely no city gas. Wood is an option but the UK is already announcing restrictions on wood burning stoves and sale of fire wood so I expect that it will be an issue in France in the future too! Perhaps I should investigate the efficiency of an air source heat pump instead.

Thanks Theiere.

Thanks Pomme, Good point about the crud in the tank. I've never had oil heating before and I very much doubt that the previous owner had the tank cleaned so I dread to think how much rubbish there will be in there! Thanks again.

Thanks Nick I have had a quote from a local business for a new De Dietrich boiler Eur 13344. I had not thought about the Insurance aspect of using the UK Worcester boiler. Thanks again.

Hi Hope someone can help. I have a 1970s house in the Val d'Azun Haute Pyrenees that came with a very old French Ideal standard" boiler. I have been told by our local heating engineer that it would be sensible to replace this with a new more efficient boiler. I had thought about buying a Worcester Bosch (Greenstar Heatslave 2 25-32) in the UK and taking it out to France. I have had a lot of Worcester boilers in various houses in the UK and have never had any trouble with them... but it seems that this is not such a good idea - (Worcester boilers won't work with French oil and no guarantees available.) Can anyone tell me what the best (reliable/efficient) boiler manufacturer is and where is the best place to buy them. Many thanks.

That's great. Many thanks for the clarification.

Yes that's what I'm worried about. I will ask at the TP as suggested. Many thanks.

Thanks Norman & Woolybanana, I am expecting to pay "full whack" and to be "screwed" on a second home. As a potential part time Frenchman I'm not expecting to be able to obtain any discounts on the tax. The site seems says that "...the municipalities may decide to apply a mark-up between 5% and 60%", so that will be 60% then! What I still seem to be missing is 60% of what, I appreciate that its the nominal rental income for the house involved but where can I find out what that is? I have asked the agent selling the property how much the tax is but all she says is that the seller didn't pay it as she was an old lady! I vaguely remember reading something that the full tax before discounts is shown on the back of the tax demand form, so I'm not sure what they cant tell me what that figure is. Am I missing something here? Thanks again.

Thank you suein56 this is most helpful. I can see that the house prices have been falling over the last 10 years (no surprise there.) I was able to do a specific search on the type of house and the price being asked is just over the estimated figure for houses of that type in the area, again no great surprise. The good thing is that the figure I had in mind for the property is within the range calculated by the Immobiliers so I feel more confident that I won't be being an "offensive foreigner" when I make a lower offer. Many thanks for your help it is very much appreciated.

Hi I'm new to the forum and am considering purchasing a property in France. I don't want to be a Brit abroad as I saw in one post on this site and am trying to do my research before I commit. The house price index referred to sounds really interesting to make sure I'm not overpaying but I cant find a site for the area I am hoping to purchase. Aucun - 65400 Haute Pyrenees Please could someone help and point me in the right direction. Also I have asked the Agent seling the property how much the Taxe Habitation would be and I am told that it depends on my income. Is this my worl wide income or just my income in France which is zero! again any help that you can offer would be gratefully received.