Martin's situation was one many homeowners face but few want to admit: living in a cold home with no proper heating system. With just a portable bottled LPG heater warming only his living room, Martin was facing sky-high energy costs and uncomfortable winters ahead. But when he discovered the ECO4 scheme could solve his heating crisis completely free of charge, he knew he had to act.
‘I knew I could receive funding to heat my home, but didn’t know where to start, or who to turn to’
The challenge? Most companies turned down his ECO4 project. But Projects4Renewables specialises in government-funded transformations, and we knew exactly how to turn Martin's cold house into a warm, efficient home: an experience he described as being “EXCELLENT”.
The Results That Matter
Martin's transformation delivered:
Complete home heating - from one-room
LPG heater to whole-house comfort
Dramatic running cost reduction - off-peak electricity + free solar power
Energy independence - battery storage for evening power
Income generation - Smart Export Guarantee payments
EPC rating improvement - property now meets 2030 rental standards
Lower carbon footprint - clean, renewable energy system
The Smart Foundation Strategy
Here's where most people get excited about solar panels and heating systems - but Martin's transformation had to start somewhere less glamorous but infinitely important.
Before installing any of the exciting technology Martin was dreaming of, our team discovered his home was losing massive amounts of heat through an uninsulated loft. Without addressing this first, even the most advanced heating system would be fighting a losing battle.
Within just the first week of work, Martin could already feel the difference...
We installed 300mm of premium loft insulation - the foundation that would make everything else work perfectly. But insulation alone isn't enough. Our team also installed strategic roof vents throughout the loft space, ensuring proper airflow to prevent moisture buildup that could compromise the insulation's effectiveness over time.
This expert preparation work meant Martin's new heating system would perform more efficiently than if we'd simply installed it in his poorly insulated home.
The Heating Revolution
With the thermal envelope optimised, Martin was ready for his heating transformation. Gone was the expensive, inefficient LPG heater that only warmed one room. In its place: Elnur Gabarron ECO High Heat Retention storage heaters throughout his entire home.
These aren't your grandmother's storage heaters. They use cheaper off-peak electricity to store significant heat in their core, then release it gradually throughout the day with intelligent digital controls and weekly programming.
But the real game-changer was yet to come...
Harnessing Free Energy from the Sun
Martin's 3.48kW solar PV system (8 panels) was specifically designed to power his home and charge those storage heaters with completely free, clean energy from the sun. This means his heating bills dropped dramatically while his carbon footprint virtually disappeared.
Even better, now that Martin has switched to Octopus Energy, he earns money through the Smart Export Guarantee when his system generates more electricity than he uses - turning his roof into a money-making asset.
And because Martin could see the incredible value, he invested money out of his own pocket in a SolaX 5kW battery system to store excess solar energy for evening use. This decision was transformative - allowing him to use solar power even after sunset.
The Complete Health System
Throughout Martin's home, we also installed the often-overlooked elements that ensure long-term performance: Mechanical Extract Vents, Core Vents, Trickle Vents, and Door Undercuts. These ventilation measures guarantee optimal airflow, preventing moisture buildup and maintaining excellent indoor air quality.
This comprehensive approach ensures that the upgrades to Martin's home will perform flawlessly for decades to come.
What Martin Says Now
"The application process was easy; more than easy in fact and the installers were brilliant, wonderful and extremely fast at getting the job done, particularly James, Head of Electrical. I found them all to be extremely accommodating, involving me in the process and showing me step by step what they were doing. I am very happy with the final result and if I had to describe the experience in one word, I would say EXCELLENT."
Martin's journey proves that with the right approach - starting with the fundamentals and building up to the exciting technology - even the most challenging heating problems can be solved completely through ECO4 funding. Take a look at his EPC uplift:
Could Your Home Be Next?
Martin's story shows what's possible when you work with Projects4Renewables, who understand how to maximise ECO4 funding.
From foundation work that ensures maximum efficiency to cutting-edge solar technology that generates income, we create complete home transformations that deliver comfort, savings, and energy independence.
Are you ready to create a cleaner, greener, and more affordable future?
