The fundamental issue with Victorian homes is that when they were created, the builders had considerably lower expectations of what the minimum internal temperature should be in winter. Originally, Victorian dwellings had no insulation and provided little shelter from the cold or heat. They relied on fireplaces for warmth and by not covering openings such as windows and doors they allowed in a lot of cold air and hot air during the summer months. These problems were exacerbated by the use of wood as a primary building material. Wood is a natural product which will shrink and expand with changes in humidity and temperature. This can cause wood frames to break down and come apart, allowing wind and water to enter buildings through any openings. The quality of construction also played a role - poorly built houses tended to fall apart sooner than well-built ones. Modern houses tend to be constructed out of concrete or brick, which are much better insulators than wood. They provide greater protection from the elements and can be heated to much higher temperatures before they feel too warm to live in. Heating a Victorian house is not difficult but it does require some expertise. First of all, you will need to determine how much heat you need and how you plan to meet this demand. There are several different methods for heating a house, depending on your budget and desired level of comfort.