In autumn 2025 we had our loft bedroom & ensuite bathroom refurbished with a strong focus on energy efficiency and smart technology. We added 100mm of internal insulation to the ceiling filling the gaps in insulation left around the previous halogen spot lights, installed new Velux honeycomb light & heat insulating blinds, and a ceiling-mounted infra-red heating panel offers an alternative heat-source when the central heating isn’t operating.

Also, the extractor fan in the bathroom has an electrically operated backdraft-valve to minimise heat-loss when the fan isn’t in use, and the dormer-window honeycomb blinds are electrically operated, enabling us to open them without getting out of bed to see the view across the allotments behind the house. All the lights are now smart LEDs – some of which are both dimmable and have variable colour-tone – facilitating different lighting conditions from a bedside smart-switch and an app on our phones. David now needs to write a manual to document how it all works!