Energy prices are a growing concern – but for some, getting ahead of the crisis has paid off. Local residents have been opening their doors to Nicholas Sebley of Portsmouth Climate Action to reveal how they did it and inspire others.
In the city’s first Green Open Homes Week, six Portsmouth homeowners are inviting people to visit their homes and see their energy (and money) saving in action.
Viola is one of the homeowners taking part. She said, ‘Installing electric heating, alongside solar panels and an EV, has saved us an enormous amount of money, and helps save the planet too. The electric heating means it’s warm in the morning and stays warm throughout the day too.’
But for Viola go beyond lower bills, reduced carbon emissions and a warmer home. She and her husband hope to remain in their home for as long as possible, so making it more energy efficient has also been an investment in their long-term independence and security. ‘It’s about being independent, innovative and less reliant on the grid. We’ve prepared our home for the future.’
Rachel, who lives in a Victorian terraced home, has upgraded her home energy efficiency, step-by-step over time. ‘Doing it at the same time as other building maintenance means there’s not much additional cost,’ she said. ‘I’ve only added underfloor insulation when I’ve been renewing my floor anyway, so adding the insulation hasn’t been a major job.’
What difference has insulation made to her traditional home? ‘In old homes, we have cold spots and warm spots,’ she said, ‘meaning our bodies are warmer than our heads, which doesn’t feel right. It’s the stability of temperature which makes our homes feel comfortable, which is what insulation provides.’
She added that this kind of comfort is often overlooked in discussions about retrofit, which tend to focus on financial returns rather than how homes actually feel to live in.
‘When we talk about retrofit, we get distracted talking about the rate of returns. I don’t think that way about the res
t of my home; my kitchen doesn’t need to save me money, it makes me happy. We don’t often talk about the benefits of retrofit outside of cost – for example, how stable and healthy our homes can become. And my windows do give me joy, as do my solar panels, even after ten years. Underfloor insulation is super joyous.’
Having visited an open home herself a few years ago before deciding to install a heat pump, Kate is delighted with how it has performed in her own property. ‘It’s been absolutely game-changing to feel comfortable at home all winter.’
The im
provements have delivered more than just greater comfort. Kate has combined her air source heat pump with a discreet solar panel and battery system, with the panels hidden from view at street level and the batteries tucked away in her basement. The result is a home that is not only warmer but also cheaper to run.
‘Our average energy bills are less than when we had a gas boiler, so financially it’s sensible as well.’
Ian has added energy efficiency improvements to his home step-by-step over time. Ian commented, ‘Over the years, we have done a few things to save energy and make our home more comfortable. As we have gone along, we fitted double-glazing when replacing windows and added extra insulation when making alterations to rooms. Solar panels have been great; they work even when there is a bit of cloud. We feel warmer and our electricity bills are less, which is so important in these expensive times. We also use a little less of the planet.’
If you’re thinking about ways to get ahead of the energy crisis, why not take the opportunity to see some ideas in practice? Booking is essential and can be made here.
The Homes
Pre-1920s terrace in Milton
Get ideas you can apply to create a cleaner, smarter home with greater confidence over your energy use and costs.
Highlights include:
- Air source heat pump
- Solar panels and battery systems
- EV charger
Milton
A local home showcasing a range of energy efficiency improvements and sustainable living features.
Highlights include:
- Solar panels
- Efficient, modern electric storage heaters
- EV and charger
- Smart electricity tariff
- Cavity wall and loft insulation
- High-performance external door and double glazing
- LED lightbulbs
- Rewilded garden and water butts
Victorian terraced home in Eastney
A thoughtful, whole-house approach to improving energy efficiency, carried out step by step over time.
Highlights include:
- Cavity and solid wall insulation (internal and external)
- Loft and floor insulation
- Triple glazing
- Solar panels
- Draught-proofing
- Smart ventilation
- ‘Whole House Retrofit’ approach
Victorian terrace home in St Jude, Southsea
An excellent opportunity to see how different modern technologies can work together in a traditional home.
Highlights include:
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Air source heat pump
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Smart electricity tariff
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Solar panels and battery storage
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EV and charger
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Loft insulation and draught proofing
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Double-glazing
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LED light-bulbs
Cosham
Find out what it’s like to live in a home heated by an air source heat pump, powered by smart electricity tariffs.
Highlights include:
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Air source heat pump
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Smart electricity tariffs
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EV and charger
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Loft and wall insulation
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Double glazing
Drayton
An extensive solar panel and battery system in action, added over time to create a more efficient and sustainable home. Other highlights include smart heating controls and large-scale rainwater collection.
Highlights include:
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Solar panels, battery and diverter
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Smart heating controls
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Double glazing
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Cavity wall insulation
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Water butts (1,700 litres)
Photos provided by Portsmouth Climate Action
