Home Energy Project Results
Keeping warm, lowering bills, cooling the planet
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:
Typical home types in our villages:
We developed six core property types after analysing our village homes. Use these archetypes to get to know your home better, but note that every home's energy performance is unique. These archetypes act as a starting point:
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 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.
