Background
Martin lives in a semi-detached bungalow built in the 1960s. When we first assessed his property, it had an energy performance rating of E. The home featured outdated night storage heaters and only 150mm of loft insulation, leaving it inefficient and expensive to heat.
The Solution
Martin was eligible for the Warmer Homes Grant (HUG2), a government scheme designed to improve the energy efficiency of homes. Through this program, Martin received several upgrades, including:
• A new air source heat pump
• A modern hot water cylinder
• Solar panels
• Additional loft insulation
The Impact
After the work was completed, we revisited Martin’s home to conduct a follow-up energy performance assessment. We were delighted to find that the property’s energy efficiency rating had risen from E to A, the highest possible rating.
The improvements had an immediate and transformative effect on Martin’s energy bills. As he explained:
“When it comes in at 3p for a day in the middle of December, it’s a shock. It’s nice knowing you can get up in the morning and it’s not cold.”
Before the upgrades, Martin’s energy costs were considerable.
“We moved in in July, and the first electricity bills we were getting were £3, £4, or £5 a day. By November, when we put the storage heaters on, it went up to £14 a day.”
The new heat pump dramatically reduced his energy usage, bringing costs down to £7 or £8 per day. A week later, when solar panels were installed, the results were even more impressive:
“Our lowest bill so far has been nothing per day.”
Conclusion
Martin’s case demonstrates the life-changing impact that energy efficiency upgrades can have. Thanks to the Warmer Homes Grant, he now enjoys a warmer, more comfortable home with drastically reduced energy bills.
This case is a powerful example of how government-backed schemes and modern technology can help households transition to affordable, sustainable energy solutions.
