Home Energy Plan
“Last winter, my energy bills went through the roof … now I feel more prepared for this winter.”
Ms Y L lives in a 3-bedroom mid-terrace house, located in the Meadows, Nottingham. She has previously struggled with heat loss, dampness and rising energy bills.
After sharing her concerns with her son, he signed her up for a Home Energy Plan to try and mitigate her energy costs. Ms Y had noticed that a lot of the warmth was escaping from her roof and that specific rooms in her home struggled to retain heat, especially the downstairs areas which were heavily used by Ms Y and her family.
The Home Energy Plan identified the first steps needed to get her home on the way to being fit for the future. This eased Ms Y into the retrofit process but also ensured that she made simplistic but effective changes.
Energy plan examples from Green Meadows, Nottingham Energy Partnership 2023.
The overall assessment of Ms Y’s home identified key defects pointing to heat loss. After she initially raised the concern that she felt the cold from her attic, the survey found that the roof had a large thermal bridge. It did not help that the stairs access to the attic was not blocked, leading to a cold draught invading her home.
Additionally, the plan detailed that the dining room radiator needed to be replaced and she needed draught-proofing on the door to the attic stairs. Additionally, she would benefit from having more control over the temperature of her central heating and the temperature of each room.
Phase 1
The plan identified the need for heating programmers and a thermostat so that Ms Y could have greater control over the timing and temperature of her heating, making the system run more efficiently. This was an easy change and part of ‘Phase 1’ of the energy plan. Additionally, Phase 1 recommended that she installed Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) in the bedrooms and downstairs living areas, as well as installing a double convector radiator to emit more warmth and heat the dining room more efficiently.
Energy plan examples from Green Meadows, Nottingham Energy Partnership 2023.
Ms Y decided to have Thermostatic Radiator Valves fitted in the 3 bedrooms, as well as in the lounge and dining room. This was carried out whilst installing a double convector radiator, reducing disruption and carrying out the improvements efficiently. She will save money by being able to heat rooms depending on the need. Ms Y also had a heating programmer and thermostat installed, so she saved money by setting her central heating to optimal temperatures and timings.
She told us, “I can control the values of my heating, which has made me feel more confident going ahead. My house took a lot of energy to heat up before and this has already started to improve.”
“I now have peace of mind that I can babysit my grandkids and it won’t be too chilly.”
Phase 2
Energy plan examples from Green Meadows, Nottingham Energy Partnership 2023.
Ms Y’s plan listed loft insulation as part of Phase 2 changes - the plan also detailed the specific costs, benefits, savings and considerations surrounding loft insulation. As a short-term fix, the team recommended Ms Y have a draught-proof door installed on the stairs up to the attic.
She followed the advice and told us that the difference was almost immediate. She said, “Last winter, my energy bills went through the roof … The weather has shifted already and this change has already greatly helped.”
Phase 3 & 4
Ms Y’s plan goes on to identify long-term, larger changes, such as installing Flat Roof Insulation, Room in Roof Insulation and External Wall Insulation. Should Ms Y ever feel like she wants to go ahead with it, the plan details how to do this, which materials to use, costs and more. Phase 4 of the plan also explains that an Air Source Heat Pump would be an impactful final step, once the house has been well insulated.
Ms Y’s home energy plan is only the beginning of her home’s journey to being warmer, more efficient and prepared for the future. It empowers her with the knowledge needed to cut her fuel bills and carbon emissions, ensuring that the retrofit process can be as simple as possible.
If you are interested in receiving a free Home Energy Plan, as well as advice on trusted installers and in-person support, register your interest for a Home Energy Plan here.