Home Energy Project Results
Keeping warm, lowering bills, cooling the planet.
CASP’s successful application for funding from the Government’s Community Energy Fund, administered by the Greater South East Net Zero Hub, has enabled the CASP Home Energy Project to investigate how to make home energy saving improvements easier and more affordable for all.
Nearly 50% of our total energy consumption in the villages is for heating our homes! This is partially due to our dependence on oil boilers for heating, and our older housing stock which may be more difficult to insulate.
Over the past year, we have been working with consultants from Community Energy Pathways, Communities for Renewables, and Centre for Energy Equality to assess how our villages’ housing stock can be made warmer, cheaper to heat, and lower in carbon.
We began by studying our housing stock and identifying six 'archetype' homes based on key characteristics such as age, type, wall construction and heating. We then carried out in-depth home assessment surveys of six properties that represent each of these archetypes.
Using the results of those surveys, we determined home upgrade pathways tailored to each housing type and the homeowner’s priority.
You can download the project report with the full results below, or read the summary on this webpage.
Typical home types in our villages:
Which home energy upgrades work best for your house?
Home type 1: 19th/20th century solid wall homes
What it’s like:
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Solid walls (no cavity)
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Loses heat quickly
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Reliance on natural ventilation
Proposed improvements:
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Low-cost fixes (heating controls, draughts)
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“Heat-pump ready” (windows, doors, loft insulation)
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Upgrade heating and consider solar
Watch out for:
⚠ Damp & condensation
⚠ Over-sealing without ventilation
⚠ Installing heat pump before reducing heat demand
⚠ Ignoring mixed construction
Home type 2: Mid-century cavity wall house
What it’s like:
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Cavity walls
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Limited original insulation
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Pitched roof with loft space
Proposed improvements:
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Improve loft insulation
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Check/upgrade cavity wall insulation
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Ventilation upgrades
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Upgrade heating and consider solar
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Deeper fabric upgrades if renovating
Watch out for:
⚠ Poor or failed cavity insulation
⚠ Ventilation gaps after upgrades
⚠ Installing heat pump without upgrading fabric
Home type 3: Late century cavity wall house
What it’s like:
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Similar to home type 2, but typically includes cavity wall and loft insulation, and double glazing, but below current standards.
Improve fabric and follow similar guidance to type 2
Home type 4: Modern detached house
What it’s like:
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Relatively well insulated
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Heating often already electric
Proposed improvements:
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Optimise heating controls
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Install solar PV to cut bills, and battery once usage understood
Watch out for
⚠ Don’t upgrade before optimising
Home type 5: Flats & Maisonettes
What it’s like:
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Shared walls reduce heat loss but limit individual control
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Construction varies by type
Proposed improvements:
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Low-disruption measures (heating controls, draughts, LED)
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Work with neighbours & freeholder on wall insulation
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Heat pump where possible
Watch out for:
⚠ Leaseholder/freeholder restrictions
Every home is unique, and requires its own assessment. Your energy improvement journey will depend on the state of your home and your personal priorities.
