CASE STUDY: Home ENergy Neighbourhoods
Central Bath
“It was a really enjoyable evening – we learned a lot from the assessor and each other.”
Catherine invited a few of her neighbours around to talk about their similar homes and potential retrofit options, as part of the Home Energy Neighbourhoods project.
Victorian terrace
5 neighbours
Futureproof Full Home Retrofit Survey & Plan
3+ bedrooms
Various timelines, budgets and knowledge
Type
Group members
BWCE Assessment
Size
Key issues
The neighbourhood
Catherine’s home energy assessment included a report of energy efficiency recommendations tailored to her home. It highlighted ways she could reduce energy use and improve comfort while also confirming the changes she had already made – including draught-proofing, loft insulation and window refurbishment – have improved energy retention by 25%.
As part of the Home Energy Neighbourhood project, she hosted a relaxed get-together around her dining table where five neighbours from her street compared experiences and explored options. One of our energy assessors was there to facilitate the evening and guide the conversation, answering questions and making sense of different possible scenarios of upgrades that the group could do in each of their similar homes.
With a mix of knowledge and experience across the group, the assessor led a discussion that was supportive and informative, helping everyone feel comfortable no matter what stage of the retrofit journey they were at.
What they discovered
Small changes like draught-proofing can make a noticeable difference
Insulation levels may not always be as effective as expected
There are a range of improvement options to suit different homes and budgets
Preparing for a future heat pump is possible, even if it’s not an immediate step
Having expert input alongside shared experiences helped the group feel more confident and better informed about what to do next.
What happened next
Since the get-together, some of the group have started to make changes while others continue to explore their options. For Catherine’s household in particular, the conversation has sparked a growing interest in future upgrades, including the potential for a heat pump when their current boiler system needs replacing.
Are you interested in doing something similar on your street?
Find out more, register your interest and we’ll help you get started.