Background:
Mrs Kaur (not her real name) lives with her husband in a large, owner-occupied property in Preston (PR1). The couple are on a low income—Mrs Kaur works part-time and receives Universal Credit, while her husband claims Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Despite already having double glazing, their home is cold in winter and expensive to heat. Several of the windows are faulty—some won’t open or close properly, and one is cracked, leading to significant draughts and discomfort.
Issues Raised:
- High energy usage due to the size and poor thermal efficiency of the home
- Faulty or broken windows, but no funding is available for repairs or replacements
- No curtains, only blinds, which exacerbates heat loss
- The loft is used for storage and it is unclear whether the insulation is adequate
“It’s a big house, and it’s cold in the winter. I’ve got to use a lot of gas and electric.”
“The kitchen window won’t close… it just broke.”
Actions Taken by Greener Homes:
Greener Homes assessed that although full window replacement wasn’t fundable due to existing double glazing, small-scale energy-saving measures could still help. Mrs Kaur was referred to the Local Energy Advice Partnership (LEAP) for:
- A home visit
- Draught-proofing
- Advice on insulation and heat retention
Tamsin also offered practical tips, such as looking for good-quality second-hand curtains from charity shops to improve insulation affordably.