Start with the fabric, not the kit
Heat pumps and solar arrays don't fix a leaky building, they just power a leaky building more efficiently. The first move on any sustainable upgrade is fabric: roof insulation, suspended-floor insulation, internal or external wall insulation where appropriate, draught-proofing and high-quality glazing. Get the fabric right and the rest follows.
Internal wall insulation for solid-wall homes
Most Bristol Victorian and Edwardian houses have solid brick walls, no cavity, no insulation. External wall insulation isn't usually possible in conservation areas. Internal wall insulation, done with breathable systems like wood-fibre boards, can transform thermal performance without losing the building's ability to manage moisture.
Heat pumps in old houses
Air-source heat pumps work brilliantly in Bristol period homes, provided the house is well insulated and the radiator system is sized for low-flow temperatures. They run cooler than gas boilers, so radiator surfaces need to be larger. Underfloor heating on the ground floor is ideal, especially during a renovation when the floors are coming up anyway.
Solar PV and battery storage
South-facing roofs in Bristol, particularly in the suburbs and on detached homes, make excellent solar PV sites. Combined with battery storage and a heat pump, you can get a meaningful chunk of your heating and hot water off-grid. Listed buildings and conservation areas need careful attention to roof line and panel placement.
MVHR and air quality
Once a home is well sealed for heat retention, ventilation matters more. Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) extracts stale air and warms incoming fresh air using the heat from the outgoing air. It's standard in modern new builds and a sensible upgrade during a renovation.
Glazing without losing character
Triple-glazed sash and casement windows are now available in period-correct profiles. The performance gain is significant; the visual change from the street is minimal. We restore where we can and replace with period-correct, high-performance units where the timber is past saving.