How Cosy Homes in Lancashire is Transforming Lives

Written by:
Stacey Walker

At Cosy Homes in Lancashire, our goal goes beyond installing heating systems or insulation. It is about fundamentally improving the health, wellbeing, and quality of life for residents across the county. Over the past decade, our council initiative has worked with trusted local installers to deliver life-changing energy improvements.

Read three real case studies that highlight the impact of our work, from eliminating cold-induced health issues to overcoming complex planning and installation challenges.

Case Study 1: Restoring Comfort and Wellbeing in Preston

Living in a cold home takes a heavy toll on both physical and mental health. Almost ten years ago, during the early days of the scheme, a resident in his 60s from Preston reached out for help after receiving a Cosy Homes in Lancashire leaflet through his door.

The Challenge

12 years without heating: the resident, who worked part-time, had gone over a decade without any heating or hot water in his home.
Extreme winter coping strategies: to survive the coldest months of the year, he resorted to setting up a tent and sleeping bag inside his front room for himself and his dog.
Mental health and addiction: the isolation and extreme cold of his living conditions contributed to the development of a gambling addiction, which became his primary distraction inside the tent at night.

The Solution

Through first-time central heating grant funding available at the time, Cosy Homes in Lancashire installed a complete central heating system (boiler and radiators), alongside cavity wall and loft insulation to seal the building envelope.

The Impact

The entire installation was completed within a couple of months. Beyond turning an end-terrace property into a warm, energy-efficient home, the psychological impact was profound:

The resident returned to a welcoming, comfortable environment every evening.
With a warm living environment restored, his gambling addiction disappeared.
He became a vocal advocate for the initiative, attending local community events to encourage other residents to apply.

Case Study 2: Whole-House Retrofit in a Conservation Area

Upgrading older, hard-to-treat properties often brings unforeseen structural challenges. When a resident in his 30s living in a local conservation area applied for help with severe damp, Cosy Homes in Lancashire took a comprehensive approach.

Navigating Conservation and Unforeseen Repairs

Conservation approvals: solar panels can be a sticking point with local planning authorities in conservation areas. To comply with local guidelines, we fitted an in-roof solar PV system designed to sit flush with the roofline rather than protruding above it.
Uncovering hidden issues: internal wall insulation can be disruptive, so the installation was scheduled while the resident was away on holiday. During prep work, installers discovered that the floor (a mix of timber and concrete) was saturated with moisture.
Doing the job right: rather than insulating over the wet floor—which would have led to major structural decay and mould later—our accredited installers paused the project. We worked with the contractors to resolve the floor dampness before completing the wall insulation and solar installation.

The Impact

The property received a complete "whole-house retrofit." The resident returned to a fully upgraded home with significantly lower energy bills, improved ventilation, eradicated dampness, and long-term structural integrity.

Case Study 3: Modern Renewable Tech for Senior Residents in Wyre

A common misconception is that modern renewable heating, such as heat pumps, is too complex for older residents to manage. A project in Barnacre with Bonds (Wyre) proved otherwise.

The Challenge

Seven bungalows—historic almshouses occupied by private tenants aged 76 to 95—relied on outdated, inefficient electric storage heaters. The properties suffered from lingering cold and ambient dampness.

The Solution

We retrofitted all seven properties with:

Air source heat pumps (manufactured locally in St Annes, Lancashire).
Solar PV panels paired with battery storage systems.
Remote monitoring capability, allowing the manufacturer to adjust system settings digitally if a resident needs support.

The Impact

The residents adapted smoothly to the new technology:

Consistent warmth: residents noted their homes remained comfortable day and night, improving sleep quality and mobility.
Eradication of damp: ambient moisture was eliminated throughout the bungalows, improving overall air quality.
Accessible support: remote monitoring ensured peace of mind, proving that age is no barrier to adopting low-carbon home technology.

Why Quality and Care Matter

Whether an installation involves quick loft insulation or more complex measures like internal wall insulation and heat pumps, we prioritise customer care and quality control:

Rigorous installer vetting: we only work with vetted, Lancashire-based contractors who adhere to strict quality standards and flag underlying building issues before proceeding.
Disruption management: residents are fully informed about expected timelines and disruption levels before any work begins.
Post-installation follow-up: our dedicated advice team contacts residents after completion to evaluate satisfaction, collect feedback, and ensure all systems operate effectively.

Find out what support is available for you

Whether you live in a modern terrace or an older property in a conservation area, Cosy Homes in Lancashire offers guidance, grants, and practical solutions.