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Absolutely not. DRY walls are warm walls. Most old houses aren’t properly breathable so there’s moisture in walls which lets heat transfer quickly. So.. strategy to make sure walls are dry is number one priority. Then clearly no howling gaps - don’t want uncontrolled cold air. https://twitter.com/garyinscotland/status/1327893844059435008
Then when it’s draught free, we look to control the air internally to make sure moisture content is kept low so no moisture can build up in walls through interstitial condensation. That includes venting and exchanging air with the outside in a controlled manner
THEN we can look at low temp constant heating to ensure that the building fabric never cools down below dew point and cause condensation. Must be always on - that way you use the thermal mass of your now nice dry walls to hold heat - like those old storage heaters
Finally - insulate where sensible - loft, roof etc - but BREATHABLE - and not prone to condensation- ie, http://www.sheepwoolinsulation.com Fibreglass is horrendous toxic chemical shite and attracts condensation like a magnet. Kingspan is utter shite - don’t go near.
So that’s it. My house is 14 rooms 3 storeys ancient - dating to 1400s huge stone and brick walls. Heated with biomass boiler. One wheelbarrow a day of logs. All heating and hot water for loads of showers and cooking. Dry as a bone and toasty warm. And it’s an old house !!!!!
