Upgrading a Family Home Through the Warm Homes: Local Grant
Pyramid Eco completed a whole-home energy efficiency upgrade at Ian’s property in Hertfordshire through the Warm Homes: Local Grant.
The project included solar panels, battery storage, loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, and ventilation upgrades. The existing cavity wall insulation was beginning to fail, contributing to condensation and mould inside the home.
After a detailed assessment, Pyramid Eco extracted and replaced the failing insulation. The wider package of measures was designed to improve comfort, reduce running costs, and significantly improve the home’s EPC rating.
Project Snapshot:
Location: Hertfordshire
Property Type: Family home
Client: Homeowner
Purpose: Improve comfort, reduce condensation and mould, lower electricity costs, and improve energy efficiency
Solution: Solar PV, battery storage, loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, and ventilation upgrades
Funding: Warm Homes: Local Grant
The Challenge
The property’s existing cavity wall insulation was beginning to fail, contributing to condensation and mould inside the home.
A detailed assessment found it needed to be extracted before the cavity could be refilled correctly. This ensured the underlying issue was addressed, rather than simply adding new measures around it.
The project also involved several specialist trades, with solar PV, battery storage, insulation remediation, and ventilation upgrades all needing to be sequenced carefully to minimise disruption for the family.
Why Pyramid Eco?
The project needed an installer who could coordinate multiple measures and specialist trades while minimising disruption. Pyramid Eco delivered the work in clear stages, keeping the household informed throughout.
Whole-Home Retrofit Experience
Pyramid Eco implemented several measures as a coordinated upgrade, improving comfort, efficiency, and the property’s overall EPC potential.
Correcting Existing Insulation Issues
The team identified failing cavity wall insulation, removed it, and correctly refilled the cavity to help address the cause of condensation and mould.
Specialist Trades, Properly Sequenced
Different specialist teams were brought in for each part of the installation. The work was carefully sequenced so the property was not overloaded with trades at the same time.
Resident Care and Communication
Because this was a family home, disruption had to be managed carefully. Pyramid Eco kept the household updated and allowed recovery time between stages.
Related: Home Insulation Guide: Grants, Regulations & Best Practices
Our Approach: A Staged Multi-Measure Upgrade
Pyramid Eco completed a package of energy efficiency improvements at the property. The measures were chosen to work together, improving insulation, ventilation, electricity generation, and battery storage. The chosen measures included:
- Solar PV panels
- Battery storage
- Loft insulation
- Cavity wall insulation extraction and refill
- Ventilation upgrades.
The property was eligible for solar PV, battery storage, and loft insulation through the Warm Homes: Local Grant. The existing cavity wall insulation was also found to be failing, so it was extracted and replaced. The full project took just over two weeks, with specialist trades scheduled in stages to complete each measure safely and correctly.
Related: Warm Homes Local Grant (WHLG): A Guide for Local Authorities
Overcoming Key Challenges
- Failed Cavity Wall Insulation
The existing cavity wall insulation was failing and contributing to condensation and mould. Pyramid Eco assessed the issue, removed the insulation, and correctly refilled the cavity.
- Coordinating Multiple Trades
The project involved several measures, each requiring specialist trades. Pyramid Eco sequenced the work carefully to keep the installation efficient and manageable.
- Protecting a Family Home From Disruption
With a young family in the property, Pyramid Eco avoided bringing too many trades on site at once, giving the household space between stages.
- Helping the Resident Use the System
Ian quickly took an interest in the solar PV and battery system. Pyramid Eco helped him understand how to make the most of the electricity being generated and stored.
Results and Benefits
The completed upgrade has made a clear difference to the home’s comfort and running costs. Ian reported that the house feels warmer during colder periods and cooler during hotter weather. The solar PV system has also made the home much cheaper to run, especially during the summer, while the battery provides stored electricity into the evening and overnight.
Key Outcomes:
- A warmer home during colder periods
- Cooler home during hotter periods
- Lower electricity costs through solar PV
- Battery storage providing electricity after the sun has gone down
- Failed cavity wall insulation extracted and replaced
- Condensation and mould issues addressed
- Loft insulation installed
- Ventilation upgraded
- Potential EPC rating of A
- Project completed in just over two weeks.
Client Satisfaction
Ian was initially sceptical after hearing negative stories about government grant work, but Pyramid Eco changed his view. He said the team went the extra mile to get everything right, including fully resolving a cavity wall insulation issue. He was especially pleased with the solar PV and battery system, taking a real interest in tracking how much electricity the home generates, stores, uses, and exports.
Resident comment:
“It’s just made such a big difference. The house is warmer in the colder periods and cooler in the hotter periods. It’s also really cheap to run now, thanks to the solar, which has made a massive difference for electricity all summer long. If it’s Pyramid, just go for it. Even if things don’t work out quite right the first time, the team were excellent in making sure that everything was fully resolved.”
Planning a Multi-Measure Home Energy Upgrade?
Improve comfort, reduce running costs, and make homes more efficient with expert support from Pyramid Eco.
We deliver multiple home-efficiency measures across insulation, solar panels, battery storage, ventilation, and heat pumps, while keeping the process clear and manageable for residents.
From assessment and funding support to specialist installation and final sign-off, we manage every stage professionally.
