A premium whole-home assessment

 

The Comprehensive Green Home Survey is our most detailed homeowner service.

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It is intended for properties where the homeowner wants the benefit of the property being physically inspected before recommendations are prepared.

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This allows us to consider aspects of the building that may not be apparent from:

• photographs

• EPC data

• online property information

• energy bills alone.

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It is particularly suitable where several major improvements are being considered together.

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What happens during the home survey?

 

We visit the property and undertake a visual inspection focused specifically on its potential for green and energy-efficiency improvements.

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Depending on the property, the survey can consider:

• property age and construction

• general building fabric

• roof and loft areas where safely accessible

• insulation

• windows and doors

• existing heating

• hot-water system

• radiator arrangements

• ventilation

• available external space

• roof suitability for solar

• possible heat-pump positions

• potential battery locations

• electrical and plant-space considerations

• possible EV charger locations

• overheating and cooling issues

• planned extensions or refurbishment.

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The inspection is then combined with further desktop research and analysis.

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Understanding your energy use

 

The physical building is only half of the picture.

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We also ask homeowners to provide information about actual household energy use.

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This can include:

• annual gas consumption

• annual electricity consumption

• other heating fuels

• current tariffs

• solar generation where already installed

• EV charging

• household occupancy

• working-from-home patterns.

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This enables us to consider the relationship between the building and the way it is actually used.

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Building fabric and insulation

 

One of the first questions is whether the home is retaining energy effectively.

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Depending on the property, we can consider potential improvements to:

• loft insulation

• roof insulation

• cavity walls

• solid walls

• floors

• draught control

• doors

• thermal weak points.

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We also consider the age and type of construction.

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This is particularly important with older buildings, where inappropriate insulation can sometimes create moisture or condensation problems.

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Windows and doors

 

The survey allows us to look directly at the existing windows and doors.

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We can consider:

• glazing type

• general condition

• obvious draught issues

• potential heat loss

• opportunities for upgrading

• whether replacement appears justified

• heritage considerations.

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The objective is not automatically to recommend new windows.

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It is to decide whether expenditure on glazing is likely to be worthwhile compared with other potential improvements.

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Solar PV assessment

 

The site inspection gives us a better opportunity to consider:

• available roof areas

• orientation

• obvious shading

• roof form

• roof condition

• likely panel locations

• possible cable routes

• future roof alterations.

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We can also consider solar alongside:

• household electricity demand

• EV charging

• heat pumps

• air conditioning

• battery storage.

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Where solar appears appropriate, the report can recommend progressing to detailed installer quotations and system design.

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Battery-storage potential

 

Battery storage is not automatically right for every solar installation.

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We consider whether a home battery could have a useful role based on factors including:

• electricity consumption

• solar potential or existing solar

• daytime and evening demand

• future EV charging

• heat-pump use

• electricity tariffs

• available equipment locations.

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We can then recommend whether battery storage appears to be:

• worthwhile now

• worth preparing for

• better considered later

• relatively low priority.

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Heat-pump assessment

 

Heat pumps can require significant investment and good system design.

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Our survey allows us to consider:

• existing heating

• existing boiler

• hot-water provision

• radiator arrangement

• insulation

• possible external-unit positions

• plant space

• likely route towards heat-pump installation.

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We can also consider whether improving parts of the building fabric first could make the eventual heating system more effective.

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Final heat-pump design remains subject to detailed heat-loss calculations and specialist design.

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Heating and hot water

 

Not every home needs an immediate heat-pump conversion.

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The existing heating system may still have a useful life.

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The survey can therefore look more broadly at:

• boiler condition and age information supplied

• heating controls

• radiators

• hot-water storage

• likely future heating strategy

• underfloor-heating opportunities.

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The aim is to establish a sensible transition rather than replace equipment simply because a greener alternative exists.

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Heating and cooling

 

A modern green home needs to consider summer as well as winter.

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Depending on the property, we can look at:

• overheating

• glazing and solar gain

• shading

• ventilation

• air conditioning

• reversible air-to-air heat pumps.

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This can be particularly relevant for:

• loft conversions

• highly glazed extensions

• south-facing rooms

• home offices

• upper floors.

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Where cooling is needed, we can consider how it might be integrated efficiently with the wider energy strategy.

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Ventilation and indoor air quality

 

Increasing insulation and airtightness can affect ventilation.

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The survey can consider the existing ventilation strategy and whether future improvements could justify:

• enhanced extract ventilation

• decentralised ventilation

• MVHR

• heat recovery.

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The objective is to improve efficiency without compromising healthy indoor air quality.

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EV charging

 

Where electric vehicles form part of the homeowner's plans, we can consider:

• possible charger position

• parking arrangements

• future additional vehicles

• cable-route considerations

• solar integration

• battery integration.

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EV charging can represent a substantial future electrical load, so it is useful to consider it alongside solar and heating decisions.

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Grants and funding

 

A major advantage of planning the project before commissioning work is the opportunity to investigate available financial support.

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We can identify grant and funding schemes that appear relevant to:

• heat pumps

• insulation

• heating improvements

• EV charging

• other eligible green measures.

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Availability and qualification remain subject to the individual scheme and will need to be confirmed before work is commissioned.

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Planning considerations

 

The physical survey can also identify where planning issues deserve closer investigation.

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These may include:

• solar installations

• flat-roof solar

• ground-mounted solar

• heat pumps

• air conditioning

• conservation areas

• listed buildings

• Article 4 Directions

• prominent external equipment.

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Where a planning application or formal confirmation may be required, this can be highlighted within the report.

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Building Regulations

 

Green home improvements can also involve Building Regulations.

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Depending on the proposed works, this can include:

• structural implications of solar panels

• insulation

• heating systems

• ventilation

• electrical work

• windows and doors.

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The report can identify areas where Building Control, competent-person certification or further professional input should be considered.

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Costs and budgeting

 

A homeowner contemplating a broad package of works can quickly be looking at substantial expenditure.

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The Green Home Survey therefore considers budget as part of the strategy.

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Where appropriate, the report can include indicative cost ranges for recommended improvements.

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This allows different options to be considered in context.

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For example:

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Would £10,000 be better directed towards:

• solar

• insulation

• a heat pump after grant

• several smaller improvements?

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The correct answer depends on the property.

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Savings and potential payback

 

Where sufficient information is available, we can also consider the potential financial effect of different improvements.

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This may include:

• likely energy savings

• solar savings

• payback

• tariff opportunities

• heat-pump economics

• battery-storage economics.

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These figures are indicative rather than guaranteed.

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The purpose is comparison and decision-making rather than predicting future energy prices.

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Planning improvements in the right order

 

One of the biggest advantages of a whole-home survey is the ability to consider sequencing.

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For example:

There may be little sense installing solar today if the roof needs replacement next year.

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A heat pump may be better installed after planned insulation improvements.

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Battery storage might be better deferred until actual solar generation is understood.

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Floor insulation and underfloor heating could be much easier during a planned refurbishment.

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The final recommendations can therefore be structured into:

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NOW

Priority improvements.

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NEXT

Measures to prepare or plan.

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LATER

Longer-term improvements linked to future building work, heating replacement or changing household needs.

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What you receive

 

Following the survey and subsequent analysis, you receive a detailed Comprehensive Green Home Survey Report and Action Plan.

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Depending on the property, this can cover:

• property overview

• existing construction

• current energy use

• building fabric

• insulation

• windows and doors

• heating

• hot water

• heat-pump suitability

• solar PV

• battery storage

• heating and cooling

• ventilation

• EV charging

• tariffs

• grants and funding

• planning

• Building Regulations

• indicative costs

• potential savings

• priorities

• recommended next steps.

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The objective is to provide a clear document that helps you make informed decisions and obtain the appropriate specialist quotations.

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What the survey does not replace

 

The Comprehensive Green Home Survey is an advisory whole-home assessment.

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It does not replace specialist technical investigations that may subsequently be necessary.

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Depending on the project, these could include:

• structural calculations

• detailed heat-loss calculations

• electrical testing

• EPC assessment

• asbestos survey

• detailed solar design

• ground investigation

• specialist damp assessment

• planning application

• Building Regulations drawings.

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Where further specialist work appears appropriate, this can be identified in the report.

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Who is the Comprehensive Green Home Survey for?

 

The on-site survey is particularly suitable for homeowners who:

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• are contemplating substantial green investment

• own an older or complex property

• are considering several technologies

• want the building physically inspected

• are planning a major refurbishment

• are extending or converting their home

• are considering a heat pump

• are considering solar and batteries together

• have high energy bills

• want to develop a long-term green home strategy.

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It can also be useful where the homeowner expects to remain in the property for many years and wants to develop improvements gradually.

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How much does the survey cost?

 

Comprehensive Green Home Survey — from £895 + VAT

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The final fee depends upon factors including:

• property size

• location

• complexity

• age and construction

• amount of energy information to be reviewed

• extent of the assessment required.

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The fee is confirmed before instruction.

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Desktop or on-site?

 

If your property is relatively straightforward and you are comfortable providing detailed photographs and information, the Desktop Green Home Assessment at £495 + VAT may provide everything you need to establish an initial strategy.

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If you want us to physically inspect the property and undertake the more detailed assessment that follows from an on-site visit, choose the Comprehensive Green Home Survey from £895 + VAT.

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They are separate services designed for different requirements.

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Independent advice before major investment

 

Green home improvements can easily involve tens of thousands of pounds.

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Solar.

Batteries.

Heat pumps.

Windows.

Insulation.

Heating and cooling.

EV charging.

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The biggest risk is not necessarily choosing bad technology.

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It is choosing good technology in the wrong order, at the wrong size or for the wrong property.

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The purpose of the Comprehensive Green Home Survey is to give you a professional whole-home view before those decisions are made.

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Book a Comprehensive Green Home Survey

 

If you are planning significant energy and sustainability improvements and want your home physically inspected before making major decisions, the APN Comprehensive Green Home Survey provides the most detailed level of assessment.

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Comprehensive Green Home Survey — from £895 + VAT

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NEXT STEPS

Every home is different, so the right next step depends on your property, your budget and what you want to achieve. APN Green Homes can help you turn the information you have just read into a practical plan for your own home. Whether you are considering one improvement or looking at a complete whole-home energy upgrade, we can help you understand what is suitable, what should be prioritised and where your money is likely to make the greatest difference.

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Choose one of the options below to get the ball rolling:

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BOOK A GREEN HOME SURVEY
Get a detailed assessment of your home with practical, property-specific recommendations and a clear plan for the improvements worth considering.

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BOOK A PHONE CONSULTATION
Talk through your property, ideas and priorities with us and get some initial direction on the best way forward.

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EMAIL US
Send us details of your property, photographs or any questions and we can advise you on the most appropriate next step.

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GIVE US A CALL
Prefer to speak to someone? Give us a call and tell us what you are hoping to achieve.

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Your greener, more efficient home starts with understanding the right improvements for your property — and putting them in the right order.​​​​​