Case study – Stevie and Tom

Key challenges

1. Heritage constraints: The property's historical nature limited options for structural and energy upgrades, including planning restrictions for heat pumps in the garden, meaning that it was more practical to replace the gas boiler like-for-like in the short term when the boiler was damaged during other renovation work.

2. Thermal efficiency: Addressing heat loss while working within the existing structure was a priority. Insulation decisions (e.g., solid wall insulation) were carefully assessed for cost and impact.

3. Pragmatic implementation: Minimizing disruption required a phased, practical approach to renovation, ensuring critical upgrades were completed before the installation of new features like the kitchen or the roof of the extension.

Measures installed

1. Building fabric improvements:

Wall insulation: External wall insulation (EWI) was installed to improve thermal performance.
Smart heating: A Tado smart heating system was introduced for better energy management within different rooms.

2. Window upgrades:

Replaced rear windows with double glazing for improved thermal performance.
Installing triple-glazed bi-fold doors in the extension, incorporating thermal coatings for both climate resilience and energy efficiency reasons.

3. Futureproofing for renewables:

Solar panels: Existing solar panels were installed with plans for further expansion in the future.
Radiator sizing: Radiators were sized-up to accommodate future low-temperature systems like heat pumps, while factoring in fabric improvements already completed that has brought down the heating demand for the house.

Climate resilience planning:

Future upgrades such as shutters are being considered for additional thermal and climate resilience, and would need to be installed into a wooden frame set around the windows.

Lessons learned

Phased implementation: Work has been carefully staged to minimise disruption, with critical upgrades such as EWI being completed before renovations to spaces like the kitchen or roof.
Weather Considerations: External insulation may be delayed by adverse weather conditions, try to time this to avoid wet periods.
Cost-benefit analysis: Certain measures, like insulating the master bedroom, were assessed by Stevie, but determined not to be cost-effective due to the time it would take to pay itself back in energy savings. A cooler bedroom was also preferred.
Pragmatism in planning: A flexible, realistic approach was essential to navigating planning restrictions, long Planning Permission timescales, and unforeseen renovation challenges, including issues with access requirements with a semi-detached property and maintaining good relations with neighbours.