Case study: Fabric-first approach wins for Edwardian semi-detached home

A cold brick property gets an insulation and electric heating upgrade, making it warmer, greener, and cheaper to run.

Background

• House type: Edwardian semi-detached
• Bedrooms: 3
• Wall type: Solid
• Area: West Wight

Roy and his Wife Elaine have lived in their 3-bedroom Edwardian semi since the mid-1980s. Due to its rural location, the couple’s property isn’t connected to the main gas supply, so they rely on very old electric storage heaters and a portable gas fire for warmth.

With the heaters nearing the end of their working lives, Roy and Elaine began researching the cost of various upgrade options. However, the couple quickly discovered they would not be able to cover the cost of the work. After a discussion with the team at Future Isle of Wight, they were told that they may be able to improve their home’s insulation and reduce their energy bills with the help of a government grant.

An ECO4 grant

After a quick phone interview, the Future Isle of Wight team decided that Roy and Elaine were likely to be good candidates for ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation), a government energy efficiency scheme that aims to reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty.

The scheme obliges energy suppliers to promote measures that help low-income, fuel-poor and vulnerable households heat their homes. Because Roy is on a state pension and Elaine receives disability benefits, the couple would be eligible for a free grant to upgrade their home if it met certain criteria. 

After checking their home’s Energy Performance Certificate and other details, Future Isle of Wight sent a surveyor to Roy and Elaine’s house to conduct a detailed analysis of the property. 

The survey

Future Isle of Wight’s survey noted that the West Wight house was fitted with very old night storage heaters that were not only inefficient but also lacked adequate thermostatic controls. In addition, although a small 1990s extension had filled cavity walls, the majority of the walls of the Edwardian brick house were solid and very cold to the touch. Meanwhile, the attic space had thin, poorly installed loft insulation.

A whole-house assessment is a must because every property is different. A good surveyor will be able to not only tell you what measures are obtainable via a grant, but also which are the most feasible and will have the greatest impact.”

Vince Ward, founder and director of Future Isle of Wight

A retrofit plan is formed

Future Isle of Wight sent the results of their survey to a trusted ECO4 contractor. The team then decided on the following measures to improve Roy and Elaine’s home:

• Internal wall insulation
• Upgraded loft insulation
• Efficient and modern high-heat retention storage heaters 

 After a survey from Future Isle of Wight, the contractors fitted new insulation and heaters. The builders were courteous and professional and we have nothing but good things to say about the process. There’s no doubt we’ll stay warmer and reduce our bills in the future.

Roy & Elaine — ECO4 grant customers

Internal wall insulation

Internal wall insulation involves adding insulation materials to the inner side of a property’s walls, helping to improve thermal performance and energy efficiency. This method of insulation was the logical choice for Roy and Elaine’s house, as the Edwardian building lacked cavity walls that would typically be filled with polystyrene insulation beads.

How does internal wall insulation work? 

Internal wall insulation works by creating a thermal barrier on a property’s inner walls to reduce heat loss and improve warmth retention. By insulating the walls, indoor temperatures become more stable, resulting in a comfortable living environment and reduced energy consumption.

Various insulation materials can be used for internal wall insulation. In this case, the contractor chose a Rigid Insulation Board system made from polyurethane (PUR) insulation boards that provide excellent thermal insulation. The boards have low thermal conductivity and can achieve high levels of insulation with relatively thin panels, meaning less internal space is lost.

PUR insulation boards are lightweight and can be fixed to the wall using adhesive or mechanical fixings. After the contractor fitted the insulation boards, they were plastered and finished to blend seamlessly with the rest of the house.

We were worried about the impact the internal wall insulation would have on space. However, now the job is finished, we barely notice the difference.

Roy & Elaine — ECO4 grant customers

Loft insulation

The Future Isle of Wight surveyor noted that Roy and Elaine’s house had very good loft access, and although the property was old, the attic was dry and condensation-free, with regularly spaced joists.

The contractors fitted enough blanket mineral wool insulation in the loft to create a depth of over 270mm. When correctly installed, this insulation material has a number of benefits:

• Good heat retention
• Non-flammable
• Immune to mould
• Doesn’t absorb moisture
• 100% recyclable
• Minimal carbon footprint

Upgraded electric heating

For this West Wight home upgrade, new Dimplex storage heaters were fitted throughout. These efficient units set new standards for high-heat retention heating and are entirely unlike the older conventional storage heaters many homeowners have to live with.

The new heaters have been a game-changer. They adjust the amount of energy stored and we’ve saved a significant amount of electricity —especially after Future Isle of Wight helped us understand how to use them in the most effective way to benefit from our off-peak tariff.

Roy & Elaine — ECO4 grant customers

The benefits of modern storage heaters

• Harness off-peak electricity tariffs for low running costs.
• Dynamically store the correct amount of energy to heat a room.
• Fan assistance distributes heat quickly, quietly and more effectively.
• Programmable room temperatures, including three seven-day timer profiles.

Energy reduction 

The energy consumption of the property was regularly monitored over a 12-month period after completion of the ECO4-funded measures:

• Pre-retrofit estimated electricity use: 3,650 kWh per year
• Post-retrofit electricity use: 2,555 kWh per year
• Predicted CO2 annual reduction: 60 KG/CO2/m2/yr

In Conclusion

Roy and Elaine believe they have saved over £400 in electricity in the twelve months since work was completed on their home. Not only that, the first winter in the newly upgraded house was much warmer with less dramatic fluctuations in temperature.

The team at Future Isle of Wight have made a huge difference to our quality of life. Not only were we much warmer this winter, we’ve massively cut down on our electricity bills.

Roy & Elaine — ECO4 grant customers

We hope Roy and Elaine’s story has inspired you to look at similar options for your own home, especially if you live in one of the poorly heated solid wall buildings that form the bulk of the Isle of Wight’s housing stock.