How a discounted energy survey helped a Bristol homeowner find the “hidden” cold spots.
- Client: David Butler, Bristol
- Programme: Retrofit West Voucher Scheme (now 80% off!)
- Service: Thermal Imaging & Air Tightness Testing
- Outcome: A prioritised roadmap to a warmer home
The Challenge: A Cold, Hard-to-Heat Home
Like many mid-20th-century semi-detached houses in Bristol, David’s home was struggling to retain heat. Despite having double glazing and some loft insulation, the house felt permanently chilly.
On cold days, the central heating had to run constantly just to reach a barely comfortable 17-18°C. David wanted to lower his energy bills but didn’t know where to start—was it the walls? The roof? Or something else entirely?
Our Approach: The “Whole House” Check-Up
Using the Retrofit West voucher scheme, David secured a comprehensive survey at 70% off (now 80% off!). We deployed a three-step forensic investigation to identify exactly where his heat was escaping.
- Air Tightness (Blower Door) Test: We depressurised the house to measure how leaky the fabric was. The result was a high air permeability score of 10.87 m³/h·m² (for context, a new build is usually <5). This confirmed that the house was effectively “open to the elements” through hundreds of tiny gaps.
- Thermal Imaging Survey: Using infrared cameras, we scanned the building envelope to find invisible cold spots. The thermal images revealed significant heat loss at corner junctions and thermal bridges where insulation was missing or slumped.
- Ventilation Review: We assessed the home against Part F (Ventilation) standards. We found a lack of trickle vents and underperforming extract fans, which—combined with the planned draft-proofing—could lead to a high risk of condensation and mould if not addressed.
What We Found: The “Hidden” Leaks
Our investigation pinpointed specific, actionable issues that David had no idea about:
- The Kitchen Cabinet Gap: A large air gap behind the kitchen units was acting as a major cold air intake.
- Plumbing Penetrations: Unsealed pipes behind the toilet were leaking warm air out of the house.
- The Fireplace: The open flue was acting like a straw, sucking warm air straight up the chimney.
- Missing Insulation: Thermal imaging showed the “Room-in-Roof” and eaves cupboards were missing vital insulation, creating cold surfaces ripe for mould growth.
The Result: A Prioritised Roadmap
Instead of guessing, David now has a clear, prioritised list of improvements ranging from quick qins to strategic investments.
- Immediate Fixes: sealing skirting boards, capping the chimney flue with a balloon and applying sealant behind kitchen cabinets.
- Strategic Upgrades: Installing Internal Wall Insulation (IWI) to fix the thermal bridging and adding trickle vents to ensure healthy airflow.
Client Testimonial
My house is drafty and hard to heat, it is difficult to get it above 17-18 degrees on cold days even if the central heating has been on for quite awhile. The team at Building Energy Experts were very professional, explained what they were doing as they went along.
The assessment was very useful, they have identified areas of air leakage etc and quick wins I can make. It has helped me prioritise my budget. I would definitely recommend using Building Experts.
David Butler, Homeowner
Living in Bristol, Bath or South Glos?
You’re eligible for a 80% discount on this exact survey through the Retrofit West scheme. Don’t guess where your heat is going—let us show you.
Get your voucher and book your discounted survey today.
We’re proud to offer discounted home energy assessments exclusively for local residents in partnership with Retrofit West and the West of England Combined Authority.
