Maureen Dyroff, the dedicated Co-ordinator of Chinnor & Thame Friends of the Earth, holds a Science degree and has been championing environmental causes since her early 20s. Having called Chinnor home since 1978, she retired as the Supervisor of Jack and Jill Preschool in 2020.

Maureen’s property 

Maureen’s home, a detached dwelling erected in the 1960s/70s, had undergone various extensions. The structure features two storeys, cavity walls filled with urea formaldehyde, a pitched roof insulated at joist level, and a solid floor with built-in insulation. Her windows are 100% double glazed, mostly replaced in 2018. The house boasts a C-rated condensing gas boiler with 88% efficiency, an existing solar PV + battery, and a solar thermal system. 

Why the Whole House Plan? 

Worried about climate change and keen to lower both her carbon footprint and energy bills, Maureen wanted to understand how to make her home more efficient. A thermal imaging camera showed that better insulation was a priority, and she was also thinking about upgrading her old solar thermal system to newer solar PV panels and looking into getting a heat pump. 

The Whole House Plan created for her by Cosy Homes Oxfordshire gave Maureen a clear, in-depth look at her home’s energy efficiency. It uncovered more opportunities than she had initially considered and became a useful guide, helping her focus on key improvements that would give her the best results within her budget. 

Making a cosy home 

Maureen decided to go ahead with a few carefully chosen measures that were both cost-effective and practical. Recently, she had the loft boards lifted to add extra insulation underneath, as the existing insulation was below the recommended level. The boards were then put back, raised on stilts, and she also had an insulated loft hatch fitted to reduce heat loss.

A cavity wall inspection revealed that the existing insulation was breaking down. She is now waiting for the old material to be removed and replaced with a more effective insulation.

She also found a great deal on a heat pump through her energy provider, making her home even more energy efficient.

Value for money 

With so many potential improvements identified, Maureen found the Whole House Plan to be excellent value for money. Choosing which measures to prioritise was a challenge, but she’s delighted with the final decisions, knowing they have made her home more comfortable and energy efficient while also reducing her carbon footprint.

Getting started

At Cosy Homes Oxfordshire, we take a whole house approach to home improvements, making sure every measure works together to maximise comfort, energy savings, and long-term value.

Get in touch with our team on  0330 223 2742 or by send us a message to book a home energy assessment and receive a tailored plan – helping you make the right improvements for a warmer, healthier, and more energy-efficient home.

Want to try thermal imaging on your property?

Local community groups may be running thermal imaging projects near you! Low Carbon Hub has two thermal imaging cameras available for community use, helping homeowners identify heat loss and plan energy-saving improvements.