Home Energy Plan: Solid Wall & Room in Roof Insulation
“I wanted help and advice on solid wall and room in roof insulation. The plan helped with the order this needed to be done and helped me prioritise.”
Introduction
Mr G lives in a traditional semi-detached house in West Bridgford, Nottingham. The house reflects the typical architecture of the area, with solid brick walls, bay windows and decorative brickwork on the front elevation. It has a pitched roof finished with tiles and includes loft access and a room in the roof. The ground floor is suspended timber above a cellar, a common feature in older properties. A single-storey extension was added to the side after 2012, built with cavity walls, a solid ground floor and a sloping roof.
The retrofit survey revealed that Mr G’s home retrofit journey had already begun, with improvements already installed, such as 100mm external wall insulation on the side façade, underfloor insulation in the living room, and sloping ceiling insulation in one of the rooms in the roof. Additionally, a mechanical ventilation system in the cellar, double-glazed windows, and low-energy lighting enhance thermal comfort and reduce energy demand. Despite these measures, the house was deemed hard-to-treat due to its age, traditional construction, and low Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of E.
In addition to existing measures, Mr G was motivated to continue the retrofit as he had plans to convert the roof space into a home office. He saw this as an ideal time to consider installing improved room-in-roof and solid-wall insulation and contacted the Home Energy Advice Team (HEAT) Hub for expert guidance.
Recommended Measures
Following a free retrofit survey, the H.E.A.T Hub team identified opportunities to improve Mr G’s home’s energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and enhance comfort. The recommendations were compiled in a free Future Fit plan which starts with outlining the ‘quick wins’ and the initial changes he should make to his home. These included draught-proofing the fireplace, boiler optimisation, and targeted insulation in the loft and room-in-roof, providing immediate comfort improvements. M
“All the information I needed to enable me to go ahead with installations was included in the plan.”
Longer-term, the plan proposes additional, more ambitious measures, such as solid wall insulation, trickle vents, solar panels, and switching to an air source heat pump.
Designed to unfold over 25–30 years, the plan allows for a phased, manageable retrofit that would ultimately improve the property’s EPC rating from an E to A.
“My brother-in-law is a gas/heating engineer and had originally put me off with his opinions [on ASHPs]. However, now I am keen to know more and interested in the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.”
In-person Advice
Mr G first engaged with the HEAT Hub by attending an in-person workshop focused on fabric-first retrofit measures. During this session, in-person practical advice was provided on key elements like floor, wall and roof insulation. The workshop covered preparatory work needed before installation, compatible materials for insulation and appropriate ventilation strategies. Common misconceptions were also addressed and attendees were guided on what to expect when working with contractors.
Mr G also joined an online webinar focused on solar panels, where expert speaker John Beardmore provided an impartial perspective on the advantages and limitations of solar on residential properties.
The workshops helped Mr G develop a better understanding of retrofit possibilities for his home.
Outcomes
Mr G’s experience with the H.E.A.T Hub was highly positive. He described the assessor as “very helpful and knowledgeable,” noting that he gave advice and options for room-in-roof insulation. This, and advice shared in the plan and at workshops, gave him confidence to over-see contractors work and manage his own home improvements.
Mr G mentioned that the Future-Fit Plan met all his expectations and provided clear guidance on how to sequence and prioritise improvements. It also influenced his long-term decisions. He is now considering solar panels and, despite initial reservations from a family member, has expressed interest in an air source heat pump, motivated by the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
Mr G rated the service a 10 out of 10, stating, “The service worked well for me, and I would be happy to recommend it to others.”