Retrofitting Towards our Dream Home, Hills Road

Sat 12 Oct 2024, Various

Meet your host, Stuart

I’m Stuart and I’m an Engineer by background, I sold materials selection software for many years and machine learning software for research and development through which I became familiar with many aspects of home energy, insulation and eco-materials. Inspired by my retrofit learning journey, I made the life changing decision last year and joined the sector at Midsummer, a wholesaler of solar, batteries, and ASHPs, as Head of the Sustainable Heating Division.

My wife and I purchased our 1930s house in 2016 to live in with our two children. Shortly after, I got involved with local groups such as Cambridge Carbon Footprint, Transition Cambridge, the local AECB and went to many Open Eco Home events and local AECB meet ups in order to learn as much as I could. This led me to find a suitable architect and builder. Our dream was to live in a comfortable, warm, well ventilated, healthy home with lower bills and eventually get off fossil fuels (gas).

It’s been a significant journey of change and upheaval but overall, we’re very happy with the result and the house is much nicer to live in. We are pleased to be able to share our experience and learning with others.

Key Features of this home

Complete retrofit and new double extension of 1930s detached home
Extensive insulation added throughout – external wall, underfloor, loft
Air Source Heat Pump for heating and hot water
All appliances electric and energy efficient
Focus on airtightness to reduce energy loss
Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery
Improved indoor air quality and reduced energy loss
Triple glazed doors & windows
Waste water heat recovery system
Fakro low-energy rooflights with external shading for the summer
8.5kW solar PV with 21 Hyundai 405w panels and a 5 kW SolarEdge inverter.

Download the full PDF case study here soon

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