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Whether repairing, maintaining or refurbishing properties, a range of opportunities for improving their environmental performance arise.  A cost effective approach to environmental improvement can often be achieved through refurbishment, cyclical repair programmes, or reactive maintenance when considered as part of a wider strategy for improvement.  Taking the three types of improvement opportunities into consideration, the matrix below summarises issues for energy, water, materials and health and well being. 

   OPPORTUNITY











IMPROVEMENT
Internal wall insulation Double glazing Cavity wall insulation External wall insulation Extract ventilation Draught stripping Insulated door Trickle ventilation Insulate loft/rear Insulate water pipes Ventilate loft space Insulate floors Add porch or vestibule Low-energy lighting (int/ext) Insulate hot water cylinder Improve controls Fit replacement combi-boiler Consider solar technology Water saving appliances Low flow shower Spray taps Sustainable materials Finishes Furniture Provision of home office
Refitting kitchens & bathrooms  x x     x x                 x x x   x x x x x x  
Re-pointing of walls      x                                       x    
Repairing frost damaged walls or render/upgrading external appearance       x                                   x x    
Re-plastering  x                                         x x    
Replace wall ties      x                                            
Rewiring  x                 x       x   x           x     x
Replacement windows    x       x   x                           x      
Repairing cladding        x                                          
Re-roofing/roof repairs                  x x x             x       x      
Replacing external doors            x x           x                 x      
Repairing ground floors            x       x   x                   x      
Heating and plumbing repairs                    x         x x x x              
Increase security    x       x               x                      
Replacing rainwater goods                                      x     x      
Achieving Decent Homes  x x x x x x x x x                   x x x x      
Removing mould and damp x x x x x x x x x                                
Derived from the Energy Efficiency Matrix, P4 Good Practice Guide 155, 2003

These opportunities and solutions for improvement are available by issue, feature and house type.  Simply select the options you want to consider.