Rural Radnorshire Home Upgraded
Nestled in the rolling hills of Radnorshire, this rural home was originally rated EPC G and required essential energy efficiency improvements. The property relied on an outdated oil-fired Rayburn for heating, resulting in high running costs and significant carbon emissions.
The homeowner wanted to:
- Reduce energy bills
- Move away from oil heating
- Maximise renewable energy generation
- Future-proof the property
We successfully secured funding through the UK Government’s ECO4 scheme, enabling major efficiency improvements.
As battery storage is not covered under ECO4, the client accessed a 0% interest loan through Robert Owen Community Banking to fund the battery system, ensuring they could fully maximise their solar investment.
What We Installed:
The property had a south-west facing stable roof perfect for solar, and needed a full heating system upgrade to move away from oil.
The installation included:
Solar PV and Battery Storage
- High-output solar PV system installed on the stable roof
- Connection to the main house via underground cabling
- 10.2kW battery storage system
- Hybrid inverter to optimise generation, storage and grid interaction
Heating System Transformation
- 10kW air source heat pump replacing the outdated Rayburn
- Fully designed central heating system with new pipework
- Correctly sized radiators for optimal heat pump performance
- Advanced heating controls for flexible, user-friendly operation
These upgrades allow the homeowner to use solar energy efficiently, store excess power, and enjoy low-carbon heating, reducing reliance on the grid and long-term energy costs.
The results:
After completing the upgrades, the property was reassessed and achieved a dramatic improvement in energy performance, with its EPC rating rising from G to B.
The upgrades delivered:
- Significant reduction in running costs
- Renewable electricity generation with potential export income
- Complete removal of oil dependency
- Lower carbon footprint
- Improved comfort and heating control
- A future-proofed rural property
Overall, the retrofit transformed the farmhouse into a more efficient, sustainable and comfortable home, securing long-term savings and resilience against rising energy costs.
This transformation demonstrates how targeted energy efficiency measures, renewable generation, and modern heating solutions can completely future-proof a rural home. From reduced bills and lower carbon emissions to improved comfort and independence from oil, the upgrades have delivered a sustainable, cost-effective, and resilient property ready for the years ahead.