Delivering Multiple Energy Efficiency Measures with North Herts
Pyramid Eco completed a multi-measure energy upgrade at a large property in Baldock in partnership with North Herts.
The project included cavity wall insulation extraction and refill, loft insulation, external wall insulation, solar PV, battery storage, and ventilation upgrades. Because the home had a mix of solid and cavity wall construction, Pyramid Eco designed a tailored solution rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
Completed over six weeks during winter, the project ran smoothly through careful planning, clear communication, and strong cooperation from the residents.
Project Snapshot:
Location: Baldock, Hertfordshire
Property Type: Large residential property
Client: Resident/homeowner
Purpose: Improve comfort, reduce heat loss, support lower energy bills, and upgrade the home with multiple efficiency measures
Solution: Cavity wall insulation extraction and refill, external wall insulation, loft insulation, solar PV, battery storage, and ventilation upgrades
Funding: Warm Homes: Local Grant
Delivered under: North Hertfordshire District Council scheme
The Challenge
The property had a mix of solid and cavity wall construction, so Pyramid Eco could not use one insulation approach across the whole building.
The existing cavity wall insulation also needed to be extracted before the cavity sections could be refilled correctly. External wall insulation was then added across the upper areas to improve thermal efficiency across the property.
Alongside the insulation work, the project included solar PV, battery storage, loft insulation, and ventilation upgrades, all of which required careful sequencing between specialist trades.
Why Pyramid Eco?
This type of project requires more than a single-measure installer. It needs a retrofit-led approach, clear sequencing, and the ability to manage multiple measures within a single home.
Multi-Measure Retrofit Experience
Pyramid Eco can deliver multiple home efficiency measures across insulation, solar, battery storage, ventilation, and heat pumps. This made the team well placed to manage a project involving several upgrades at once.
Tailored Technical Approach
Because the property had a mix of solid and cavity wall construction, the team had to assess the building carefully and apply the right solution to each area.
Coordination with Retrofit Assessment
The combination of measures was recommended by the retrofit assessor and approved for the property. This ensured the works were suitable and properly aligned with the home’s needs.
Resident Communication
The project lasted six weeks and involved several measures. Pyramid Eco kept the residents updated stage by stage so they knew what was happening and when.
Related: Home Insulation Guide: Grants, Regulations & Best Practices
Our Approach: Combining Insulation, Solar, Battery, and Ventilation
Pyramid Eco delivered a package of energy efficiency measures designed to improve comfort, reduce heat loss, and help the resident make better use of generated electricity. The measures included:
- Cavity wall insulation extraction
- Cavity wall insulation refill
- External wall insulation
- Loft insulation
- Solar PV
- Battery storage
- Ventilation upgrades.
The cavity wall areas were extracted and refilled where possible. External wall insulation was then installed in the upper areas to improve thermal efficiency across the property.
Solar PV and battery storage were also installed, giving the resident the opportunity to generate, store, and use their own electricity. On sunny days, the system allowed the household to run very close to being off-grid.
Related: External Wall Insulation Cost Guide
Overcoming Key Challenges
- Mixed Wall Construction
The property moved between solid wall and cavity wall construction. Pyramid Eco had to identify the different wall types and apply the right insulation approach to each area.
- Cavity Wall Extraction and Refill
The cavity wall insulation had to be extracted before it could be refilled. This added complexity, but was necessary to achieve the right result.
- Winter Installation
The project was completed during the winter months, which created challenges for external wall insulation and roof access for solar panel installation.
- Coordinating Multiple Measures
With cavity wall insulation, external wall insulation, loft insulation, solar PV, battery storage, and ventilation all being installed, the project required careful sequencing and clear communication.
Results and Benefits
The completed works improved the property’s insulation, comfort, and ability to generate and store electricity.
The resident was already enjoying the benefits of the solar PV and battery system, especially on sunny days when the home operated almost like an off-grid property. The insulation measures will also help the property retain heat during winter, which is especially important for a larger home.
Key Outcomes:
- Cavity wall insulation extracted and refilled
- External wall insulation installed
- Loft insulation installed
- Solar PV installed
- Battery storage installed
- Ventilation upgraded
- More consistent thermal performance across mixed wall types
- Improved ability to retain heat in winter
- Solar and battery system helping the home run close to off-grid on sunny days
- Project completed in approximately six weeks.
Client Satisfaction
The residents were very positive about the project and were open to having the measures installed. This helped the works run smoothly, even though the property was large and the project included multiple upgrades.
They were especially pleased with the solar PV and battery system. On sunny days, the household could make good use of the electricity generated and stored, reducing reliance on grid electricity.
Planning a Whole Home Retrofit?
Homes with mixed wall types need more than a standard insulation approach. The right solution may involve combining cavity extraction, external wall insulation, loft insulation, ventilation, solar PV, and battery storage.
Pyramid Eco manages these multi-measure projects from assessment to installation, coordinating specialist trades and keeping residents informed throughout.
