Creating energy efficient homes

An Air Source Heat Pump transfers heat from the outside air to water, which heats a room via the radiators. The heat pump also heats water in a hot water tank for taps and showers.

A Ground Source Heat Pump transfers heat from the ground to water, which heats a room via the radiators. The heat pump also heats water in a hot water tank for taps and showers.

Solar electricity panels, also known as photovoltaics (PV), is a renewable energy source that captures the sun’s energy and converts it into electricity that is used in the home.

Cavity Wall insulation is injecting into the walls of a home. Cavity wall properties have a gap in-between the bricks where insulation can be added.

Underfloor insulation is only used in suspended floor properties. This is a foam type insulation which is sprayed on the underneath of the floorboards. You can tell if a property is suspended as it will sound hollow when walked on. 

Loft insulation is most commonly laid along the floor of the loft. This should be between 200 - 300mm thick. 

This looks at how much heat escapes a property through the windows and doors. Not only does the age affect this but also the type of material a door is made from. A timber door will loose significantly more heat than a modern composite door.

Changing your lighting is one of the easiest measures to make a home more energy efficient. Low energy lightbulbs can be purchased in DIY shops and most supermarkets.

By utilising ventilation, through either trickle vents in windows or extractor fans, will help to reduce the risk of condensation and damp & mould. Ventilation also ensures good air flow around the property, allowing stale air to be replaced with fresh air from outside.

A smart meter can be a useful tool to help you keep track of your daily energy usage. Being able to automatically see how much gas and electricity you’re using helps you to adopt good energy habits and make changes that could save you money.