Bright, Open-Plan 1930s Bungalow Renovation in Nottinghamshire for £165,000

Specifying sustainable heating systems

There was a hurdle to overcome when getting planning permission but only because of one detail – the air source heat pump and its noise levels in the proposed position close to the perimeter fence. “I rang the local authority, but it was a strange conversation as they didn’t know what they wanted, just for us to fulfil the criteria,” says Jane. “There seems to be a lack of knowledge about heat pumps and a lot of rules based on old fashioned air conditioning units.”

The bold yellow kitchen wall benefits from a striking feature window above the worktop. The kitchen island is both practical and looks great

They needed to get a noise survey to assess how loud the air source heat pump would be. It turned out to be a bit of a struggle to get clear data from the heat pump manufacturers. So, even though they knew many had very quiet products, they went with T4 Sustainability, who could evidence the lowest decibels. Some companies wanted to come and put microphones in the garden, but they were able to employ a firm who could do it remotely based on the data the couple provided.

Two sets of French doors sit alongside full-height fixed windows, offering a fully-glazed rear wall in the open-plan living zone

“It cost us well into four figures and in the end all we needed to do was to put up an acoustic fence,” says Jane. “It bothers me that other people might have been put off getting a heat pump because of this.” The good news for those of you planning a project today is that the planning rules around heat pump noise were changed in May 2025, meaning that most installs can now pass as permitted development.

Getting the building works underway

After buying the house in August 2022, works started on the extension in June the following year. “It wasn’t particularly easy to find a builder,” says Jane. “We used South Notts Builders, which was local and recommended. We invited others round to be sure, but they weren’t really interested in pricing it up.” They were happy that their builder was prepared to leave bits for them to do and suggested other trades, such as plasterers. “We also had a lot of recommendations from people we knew,” says Jane.

The patio is raised up from the rest of the garden to be level with the living areas, offering a smooth transition between inside and outside spaces

“Our builder did the heavy work of digging out the floors and laying the blockwork, but after that we managed most of the interior refurbishment and fittings between ourselves.” Steve was used to working on massive scale builds, so was confident in his efficient spreadsheet to make project managing a smooth process. “He knew what to get in and when,” says Jane. “We were able to buy some things in bulk, trying to get the best value for money. At one point we had enormous amounts of insulation delivered all at once as there was space to store it. It was all about price and timescale.”

Things progressed smoothly with materials turning up when they were meant to. “It would have made a terrible TV programme!” says Jane. “We did cause some entertainment for our neighbours when the steels couldn’t get down the side of the house – we had to get a crane in. It was scary watching the rooflight held up by leather straps – but the installers were experienced and it slotted in nicely.”

The energy-efficient home

Glazing was an important aspect of the extension, with two sets of patio doors, two sets of fixed glass, a letter box window and a rooflight. Jane and Steve’s son recommended glazing specialist Allan Brothers after using them on his own home renovation project. “We were attracted primarily to the thermal efficiency and durability of their windows and doors, which should help to keep the bungalow warm and cosy,” says Jane.

There are plenty of bookshelves showcasing the couple’s beautiful collection of ornaments, books and plants, some working as dividers to zone areas

The couple chose triple glazing across all products to keep the house as insulated as possible. “We originally thought we’d go for double glazing on the front of the house, but after speaking to Allan Brothers, we realised the price difference wasn’t massive, so we thought, let’s make it more thermally efficient,” says Jane.

They disconnected the mains gas to go fully electric. They’ve got battery storage, solar panels and an air source heat pump, powering both the house and their electric car. They have underfloor heating and a mechanical and ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system helps with airflow, also contributing to maintaining a comfortable temperature year round. “Last month our electric bill was just £45 including charging the car,” says Jane.

Creating a dream result

The couple moved in when the building was watertight, but there was lots to do. “It was still a building site,” says Jane. “There were no floors in the extension and it hadn’t been knocked through to the rest of the house at that point. We lived like students for about three months with no kitchen – we managed with just a sink, microwave and an air fryer! But we were happy to muck along.”

The open-plan space is flooded with natural light thanks to the wide spans of glazing and rooflight

And with those days now behind them, they are thoroughly enjoying living in a space that’s exactly how they want it. There are three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The wide span of glass across the rear offers a fantastic inside-outside feel and the long rooflight overhead brings both daylight and a design focal point.

The long, thin window breaks up the striking yellow kitchen wall and herringbone wooden floor adds character and warmth. Bold coloured walls feature throughout with the blue living space, the green bathroom and the dark bedroom ceilings. The bookshelves are filled with treasured items to reflect the couple’s personality, all helping to create vibrant and homely interiors.

“Where I’m sitting now on the sofa I love, I can look out into the garden one way and turn to see all of my living space, including our wall of books,” says Jane. “I like that from the front it still looks like a 1930s bungalow – people don’t expect what it is when they walk in. The existing bungalow rooted us. We had to work with that rather than against it and we enjoyed that process. And I like that this is what I saw in my mind’s eye when we bought the building. We use all the spaces in this house.”

We learned

• Get specialist build insurance. We initially insured for a building that wasn’t lived in and I rang around to get advice and make sure we were covered for what we needed. It’s something that’s easy to overlook.
• Going fully electric has worked really well. We had the mains gas disconnected as there was no point in paying a standing charge. Our bills are low and that includes charging an electric car.
• Don’t be worried about what other people might want when planning your spaces. A bright yellow kitchen wall might not be a great selling point, but bold colours can be painted.