Why a whole house approach works

Taking a whole house approach is one of the most effective ways to reduce the carbon footprint of your property while ensuring long-term energy efficiency and comfort. Instead of focusing on individual fixes, this strategy looks at your home as a complete system.

What is a whole house approach?

Whole house retrofit involves implementing multiple measures to significantly reduce a home’s energy demand—moving it closer to net-zero. It’s about addressing all aspects of the home’s energy efficiency in a coordinated way, ensuring that each improvement works harmoniously with the others.

Why choose a whole house approach?

It’s about more than just the boiler

Heating accounts for around 60% of a typical energy bill, so it’s no surprise that many homeowners focus on boilers. But upgrading your boiler without addressing heat loss through poor insulation, draughty windows, or unsealed doors can be counterproductive. Most of your heating money could still escape through the building fabric.

Avoiding the patchwork effect

Tackling issues one at a time often leads to a piecemeal approach. Over time, these isolated fixes can create more problems than they solve. For example, blocking a draughty chimney might prevent heat loss, but without considering ventilation, it could lead to damp or mould.

A whole house approach avoids this ‘patchwork effect’ by ensuring that every measure complements the others. It considers the bigger picture, making your home energy-efficient as a cohesive system.

How does this work with Cosy Homes Oxfordshire?

At Cosy Homes Oxfordshire, the whole house approach is at the heart of what we do. Here’s how it works:

Expert guidance throughout: Your Retrofit Coordinator will guide you through every step, helping you understand how each measure fits into the bigger picture. They’ll also highlight the best order to implement measures, ensuring a smooth and effective retrofit.

Comprehensive home assessment: An experienced assessor will examine your entire property, identifying areas of heat loss and inefficiency, as well as your energy usage.

Tailored Whole House Plan: Your Retrofit Coordinator will create a bespoke Whole House Plan, outlining measures to improve your home’s energy performance. This plan prioritises cost-effective and impactful improvements.

The benefits of a whole house approach

• Maximised energy savings: Addressing multiple areas of energy loss ensures you’re not wasting energy—or money.
• Improved comfort: A well-insulated, airtight home stays warmer in winter and cooler in summer, making it more comfortable year-round.
• Reduced carbon footprint: Coordinated measures significantly cut your home’s carbon emissions, contributing to climate action.
• Future-proofing: Ensuring all systems work together reduces the risk of unforeseen problems and increases the longevity of improvements.

Take the next step

Thinking of retrofitting your home? Book a Whole House Plan with Cosy Homes Oxfordshire. Call 0330 223 2742 today to get expert advice tailored to your property and lifestyle, or try our free advice tool to get more ideas about your home’s energy saving potential.