Heritage Living Reimagined Through Intelligent Retrofit
Mapperley Park Conservation Area, Nottingham
Nestled in the quiet countryside near Retford, *Dunholme* is a beautifully preserved bungalow built in 1919—just after the First World War. Rich in character and cherished by its current owners, the property had long been a warm and familiar home, but its original construction posed ongoing challenges when it came to comfort and energy performance.
Solid wall construction, no mains gas, and an ageing heating system meant Dunholme was expensive to run and difficult to keep warm. With previous heating bills reaching around £2,800 annually—split between coal and electricity—The homeowners had lived with the inefficiencies for years, despite gradually renovating every room over nearly four decades.
When Bassetlaw District Council selected Dunholme as part of the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) scheme, it presented an opportunity to elevate the home’s comfort and efficiency without compromising its historic charm.
In partnership with Bassetlaw District Council, S360 designed and delivered a full external wall insulation system tailored to the needs of this period property. The solution combined technical precision with visual sensitivity, using a soft cream render to retain the warm, traditional character of the original façade. A carefully applied brick-effect render provided depth and definition—paying homage to the building’s heritage while ensuring a contemporary level of performance.
Internally, the outdated coal and electric storage heaters were replaced with nine high-efficiency electric storage units—providing greater control, faster response and a vastly improved experience of warmth throughout the home.
All works were delivered with respect for the occupants and the building, with a focus on clear communication, professionalism and craftsmanship—qualities that were warmly acknowledged by the residents.
The results have been transformative. The bungalow’s EPC rating rose dramatically from G17 to D55—a substantial uplift in energy performance that reflects the thoughtful integration of insulation and heating improvements.
Projected energy bill savings now exceed £250 annually, with carbon emissions reduced by over 650kg of CO₂ each year. Yet perhaps more telling than statistics is the lived experience: receiving feedback that the homeowners are switching off the heating as early as March, thanks to the impressive heat retention created by the insulation upgrades. Even more strikingly, their electricity bills have halved.
The homeowners commented:
“S360 has been fantastic. Scheme Manager Barry communicated well on the process and what we could expect from each team of tradespeople. Everybody was professional, knew what they were doing, polite and worked with a smile. It was a pleasure to have them work on our home—nothing was too much trouble! As an ex-Manager, I would employ them all.”
Dunholme now stands as a proud example of how character, comfort and energy performance can coexist in harmony—a 20th-century home now prepared for the decades to come.
