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105 Newcastle Street — ECO4 Whole-House Retrofit
End Terrace · Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire · ST5 6PL
EPC Improvement
SAP 8
Before
SAP 73
After
Project Details
Property Type
End Terrace House
Construction
Solid Wall (1900–1929) · 77m²
Location
Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire ST5 6PL
Funding Stream
ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation)
Client Type
Private Rented Sector
Retrofit Coordinator
Vrindara Chopra
Key Stats
G→C
EPC Uplift
+65
SAP Points
£4,430
Annual Saving
5
Measures
Scope of Works
- Internal Wall Insulation (SWIP & Knauf system)
- Loft Insulation top-up to 300mm
- First Time Central Heating (FTCH)
- Worcester Greenstar Gas Boiler
- Secure Controls Heating System
- Decentralised Mechanical Extract Ventilation (DMEV)
- TrustMark Lodgement Completed
Compliance
"Much warmer."
— Charles, Newcastle-under-Lyme
ECO4 retrofit for your properties?
EmberSol delivers full ECO4 whole-house retrofits under PAS 2035, from survey to TrustMark lodgement.
Get a QuoteProject Overview
EmberSol delivered a full ECO4 whole-house retrofit at 105 Newcastle Street, a solid-wall end terrace house built circa 1900–1929 in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire. The property was in EPC band G (SAP 8) at the point of referral — one of the lowest possible energy ratings — with no central heating system, no effective wall insulation, and severely degraded loft insulation.
The primary fabric measure was Internal Wall Insulation (IWI) using the SWIP system with Knauf mineral wool batts. Solid-wall properties cannot receive Cavity Wall Insulation, making IWI the only viable fabric-first measure. The SWIP system uses a timber stud frame fixed to the internal face of the external wall, with Knauf mineral wool batts fitted between the studs and an Intello intelligent vapour control layer applied before the plasterboard finish. This system achieves a wall U-value below 0.35 W/m²K while managing interstitial condensation risk through the smart VCL.
Loft insulation was upgraded to 300mm Knauf mineral wool, replacing the heavily degraded original insulation. The loft survey revealed an exposed brick party wall with no insulation — a significant thermal bridge that was addressed as part of the works.
As the property had no central heating system, First Time Central Heating (FTCH) was installed — a Worcester Greenstar gas boiler with full radiator system and Secure Controls. A Decentralised Mechanical Extract Ventilation (DMEV) system was installed to maintain indoor air quality following the improvement in airtightness.
The combined effect of these measures took the property from EPC G (SAP 8) to EPC C (SAP 73) — a 65-point SAP uplift — with projected annual energy savings of £4,430. All works were delivered under ECO4 with full PAS 2035 Retrofit Coordinator oversight by Vrindara Chopra, C2 inspection by SWIP, and C3 inspection by Tecnika. TrustMark lodgement was completed on completion.
Site Photography
Photos show the full installation sequence from pre-works loft survey through IWI stages to completed boiler installation. Click any image to enlarge.
IWI Installation Sequence — SWIP System
Pre-Works Survey
Loft and wall survey to document existing condition, confirm insulation depths, and identify thermal bridging risks. Compliance photos taken at each elevation.
Timber Stud Frame Fixed
Treated timber stud frame fixed to the internal face of the external solid wall, creating the cavity for insulation and providing a flat surface for the plasterboard finish.
Knauf Mineral Wool Batts
Knauf mineral wool insulation batts cut to width and fitted tightly between the timber studs, filling the full depth of the stud bay. No gaps or compression permitted under PAS 2030.
SWIP Intello Vapour Control Layer
SWIP Intello intelligent VCL installed over the batts. The Intello membrane adapts its vapour resistance to ambient humidity, preventing interstitial condensation in the solid wall construction.
Plasterboard & Skim Finish
Pink moisture-resistant plasterboard fixed over the VCL and full skim coat applied. Window reveals returned and finished to match the new wall line. Compliance photos taken on completion.