Andy Pedley’s journey to a warmer, greener home

How one Oxfordshire homeowner worked with Cosy Homes Oxfordshire to cut draughts, lower bills, and make his home more comfortable

Improving older homes so they are warmer, healthier, and cheaper to run is one of the most practical ways we can reduce our carbon footprint.

In this story, we follow Andy Pedley in Kidlington as he shares how Cosy Homes Oxfordshire helped him plan and carry out upgrades to his home – combining professional guidance with some DIY improvements to keep costs manageable.

We all know – from the news and from daily life – that the climate is changing. Carbon dioxide levels are rising, and this will continue to affect our lives and those of our children and grandchildren. For many of us, our homes are a big part of that picture: built long before energy efficiency was a consideration, they lose heat quickly and cost a lot to run.

Where to start?

It can be hard to know where to begin. Many homeowners worry about getting the wrong advice, or ending up with poor-quality work.

First steps – a quick DIY win

Andy and his family moved to Kidlington in September 2019. Their new home was in need of improvement, so they started small – topping up loft insulation.

It was a simple DIY job, and the results were immediate: a warmer house, lower bills, and less wasted energy.

But what next? That’s where we came in.

A Whole House Plan

After a conversation with his brother, Andy came to Cosy Homes Oxfordshire. At the time, we offered a survey for £75, which included a visit from Richard, one of our Retrofit Assessors.

Richard carried out a detailed survey – from walls and windows to the age of the glass – and produced a Whole House Plan: a step-by-step guide to the most effective upgrades.

The plan recommended cavity wall insulation, solar panels, and a smart heating control system.

Turning a plan into action

Once Andy accepted the plan, another team member, Alex, drew up a detailed Building Performance Requirement and gathered quotes from trusted contractors.

Then Covid hit, which slowed everything down – but in time, work went ahead.

The first big measures were cavity wall insulation and solar panels. These immediately improved comfort, cut bills, and reduced the home’s carbon footprint.

Other improvements

While the bigger upgrades were being planned, Andy made a few simple changes that made an immediate difference.

He replaced all the old incandescent bulbs with modern LEDs – a quick swap that cut both running costs and carbon emissions.

A smart TADO heating control system came next, which now helps the family manage their heating more efficiently and has already reduced their heating bills by around 10%.

In the bathroom, humidity-sensitive vents now help to manage moisture, and a simple “chimney sheep” draught excluder has stopped valuable heat from escaping up the chimney.

These small steps, combined with the larger planned work, have all helped make the house warmer, more efficient, and more comfortable to live in.

Looking back

Andy’s story shows that home upgrades don’t always have to be all-or-nothing. With a Whole House Plan in place, some measures can be tackled professionally, while others – like loft insulation, LED bulbs, and simple draught-proofing – can be done by homeowners themselves.

This blended approach helps spread the cost, while making sure every step is part of a joined-up plan that avoids wasted effort or expense.

Talk to us about your home

Live in Oxfordshire and not sure where to start? Arantxa, one of our experienced advisers, is here to help you understand what’s going on – and talk through what might work for your home. Call 0330 223 2742, or send us a quick message.

Smarter home upgrades. Backed by trusted local expertise.