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Warm Home Upgrades

Reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency

Through the Planned Investment Works programme, Places for People have upgraded thousands of homes across the UK, that had an EPC rating of D or lower, to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency.

These enhancements are designed to make your home more comfortable and affordable to run, while supporting a greener future.  

We have provided some useful information about the upgrades to your home and how you can get the most from them. If you have any questions or want to discuss anything further, please speak to your dedicated team member or on-site team.  

You can also find out more by viewing our Warm Home User Guide.  

Quick links:

Heat pumps 

For every bit of electricity a heat pump uses, it gives back around three times as much heat. This makes them much more efficient to run than old gas boilers. 

An air source heat pump pulls in outdoor air and uses it to warm up a specialised liquid. This liquid turns into a gas, which the pump squeezes to make it much hotter. That concentrated heat is then sent into your home to warm your radiators and water. 

A heat pump is most effective when kept running at a consistent temperature using the thermostat (ideally 18-21c). Turning it on and off like you would with a gas boiler takes up a lot of energy. When used correctly, you shouldn’t need to adjust anything other than the thermostat and room radiators to keep your home at the perfect temperature.  

Solar panels 

Solar panels generate electricity for use in your home, meaning you consume less electricity from the grid. The electricity generated by solar panels is also totally clean, reducing the overall carbon footprint of your home.  

Solar panels use an inverter to turn sunlight into electricity for your home. They work automatically in the background whenever it is light outside, even on cloudy days. 

You can make the most of of solar generated energy by using your appliances, like washing machines, during the day when the panels are most active. For your safety, do not try to clean the panels yourself; if you notice any issues, please contact us. 

Loft insulation 

When warm air rises without insulation, it escapes through your roof. Loft insulation keeps that heat where it belongs - inside your home. 

By doing this, the insulation should keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer - which could help with your energy bills. 

Tips on making sure you get the best out of your insulation:

  • Don’t squash the insulation: Squashing loft insulation forces out the tiny air pockets that trap heat, which can double your heat loss and lead to damp or mould. 
  • Avoid storing heavy items: Storing heavy items on top of loft insulation squashes the air pockets that trap heat. 
  • Don’t board the loft yourself: Boarding the loft yourself is risky because if you install boards incorrectly or squash your insulation, you can cause structural damage to your ceiling, create fire hazards around electrical cables, and it can lead to damp and mould problems.  

Ventilation

Insulation keeps heat in, but it also means we need to help fresh air get in and stale air get out. That is where ventilation / air flow comes in.
  
Things like cooking, showering, and even breathing create moisture and without airflow, that moisture stays trapped, which can lead to damp. 

Tips on keeping your home well ventilated 

  • Always use an extractor fan when cooking or showering. 
  • Keep trickle vents in windows open and don’t block gaps underneath doors if possible. 
  • Open your window for a few minutes. 
  • During the summer months or when it is good weather, dry your clothes outside.