Hilda Stevens – Case study 

Background 

Hilda Stevens is an 82-year-old retired home care professional who has lived in Stratford-on-Avon for over 20 years. Hilda previously lived in a home which was constantly cold without the heating on, and lost heat very quickly. 

Measures 

Hilda received a whole house retrofit from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) Demonstrator. 

Stratford-on-Avon District Council was awarded £1.4 million to retrofit an estimated 69 homes across the district, one of which was Hilda’s. The energy efficiency improvements include installation of external wall insulation, solar panels, upgraded windows and doors, and replacement of oil and gas heating with new air source heat pumps (ASHPs). The Council has worked in partnership with Orbit Housing Association to deliver the project. 

Impacts 

Despite the recent cold weather, Hilda says that she is now constantly warm enough as she is able to keep the heating on. Her new heating system mean that she can keep it on at a much lower temperature than previously as her home is now much more insulated. 

Hilda is also pleased with how her home looks after the retrofit: referring to the cladding from the external wall insulation, she says “[before] it was just brick. I like it like this, it’s nice!”. 

Hilda notes that her neighbour at number three had the same work done and feels equally positive about the retrofit. 

Whilst the work done on Hilda’s house was extensive, she reflects positively on this part of the experience too. “I had no trouble with any workman” she says, “I kept making them a cup of tea, they were brilliant”. She says that they worked tirelessly to complete the retrofit.  

Hilda is very clear that the inconvenience of having contractors in your house is not a reason not to take up the offer provided by SHDF. “Have it done” she says, “alright, it’s a bit of work and that, but no, have it done!”.