What we found in Cosy Street

In March 2026, over a dozen households across Allingham Road, Priory Road and Eastnor Road took part in a free home energy survey as part of the Cosy Street project.

These surveys were designed to help people understand:

• why their homes might feel cold or hard to heat

• what simple changes could save money on bills

• what bigger improvements might be worth considering

This short summary shares what we found, so you can see how it might relate to your own home.

Why did people take part?

Residents told us their main reasons were:

• To lower energy bills

• To keep their homes warmer and more comfortable

Many people also had specific concerns, such as:

• a room that never seems to warm up

• worries about damp or condensation

• uncertainty about what improvements are worth doing

What are Cosy Street homes like?

Most of the homes surveyed:

• were built before 1940 (some before 1900)

• have solid walls or older cavity walls that are harder to insulate

• use gas central heating

• have lower energy ratings than average

In other words — if your home feels hard to heat, you’re not alone. Many properties locally face the same challenges.

Common issues (and what can help)

🔥 Heating: small tweaks can make a big difference

Over half the homes could improve heating efficiency with simple, low-cost changes, such as:

• turning down boiler flow temperature (around 60°C for combi boilers)

• using timers so heating isn’t on overnight

• making sure radiators aren’t blocked by furniture

• adding radiator foil to reflect heat back into rooms

Many boilers were also over 10–15 years old, meaning they may soon need replacing. Planning ahead can avoid costly emergency decisions in winter and allow you to consider different systems, such as heat pumps.

💧 Damp and condensation: a very common problem

Several homes had damp issues. Often this wasn’t just one cause, but a mix of:

• condensation

• ventilation issues

• possible structural problems

Helpful everyday steps include:

• opening windows for 10–15 minutes each morning (“airing out” the house)

• using extractor fans/ trickle vents

• avoiding drying clothes in living spaces (or using a dehumidifier)

• keeping airflow vents clear

🧱 Insulation: one of the biggest opportunities

Loft insulation was one of the most common improvements identified.

Many homes had less than half the recommended amount.

Topping up insulation can:

• reduce heat loss significantly

• lower energy bills

• make rooms feel warmer more quickly

Some residents have already started doing this after their survey.

Wall insulation is more complex, but in some cases it may still be worth exploring with expert advice.

🪟 Windows, doors and draughts

Heat loss through windows and draughts came up again and again.

Simple things that helped included:

• closing curtains and blinds in the evening

• draught-proofing doors and gaps in floors or skirting boards

• using secondary glazing where replacing windows isn’t practical

⚡ Energy use and tariffs

Many residents found smart meters helpful to better understand their energy use. Smart meters (free from suppliers) can:

• show what energy you’re using in real time

• help you choose better tariffs

• make it easier to spot waste

(However, a couple of residents still had problems with older smart meters, which was frustrating).

We also identified that some households could save money by switching to tariffs better suited to:

• electric vehicles

• solar panels and batteries

Help that may be available

Some residents qualified for financial support, including:

• Warm Home Local Grant - for insulation and other improvements

• funding for low-carbon heating (like heat pumps)

These schemes can significantly reduce or even cover the cost of larger upgrades.

Building a warmer Cosy Street

The Cosy Street project is about working together as a neighbourhood to:

• make homes more comfortable

• reduce energy bills

• improve energy efficiency across the area

The survey week showed that many households face similar challenges — and that practical, achievable solutions are available.  Residents who took part received tailored advice and over 30 free energy-saving items were distributed.

If you want to know how your home compares, or what you could do to improve it, here are some ways to start:

• During the summer we are holding a Cosy Street Loft Check Week (8 - 14 June 2026) providing free loft insulation where it is suitable.

• The next Energy Survey Week will run in November (16 - 22 November 2026), when the weather is cold enough for thermal imaging.  

• We are also looking at putting on local events to provide more information on areas such as solar panels and batteries.  Watch this space.  

If you have any ideas about information/support you would like to receive or could share with your neighbours then please get in touch: info@earr.co.uk.