What is retrofit?
If your home is often cold and uses a lot of energy to heat up, you may benefit from upgrading your home’s energy efficiency, also known as ‘retrofitting’. Many homes in the UK are poorly insulated and use inefficient heating systems, and the occupants would feel the benefit from retrofitting their homes through cheaper bills and better comfort.
However, even though households could make savings on their bills over time, there is often an upfront cost to retrofitting that many households simply cannot afford. However, there are some schemes available that can help with the upfront cost.
What can be retrofitted?
Different parts of the home can be retrofitted to improve their energy efficiency. This includes:
Cavity wall insulation
This fills the gap between walls to keep heat in, making homes warmer and more energy efficient.
Solid wall insulation
This can be installed internally or externally to keep more heat in.
Loft or roof insulation
Insulation can be installed or upgraded in the roof or loft to keep heat in.
Floor insulation
Ground floors can be insulated to reduce the amount of heat escaping through the floor.
What national retrofit schemes are there in England?
Warm Homes: Local Grant
You could get free energy saving improvements made to your home if you’re on a low income, getting certain benefits or living in a certain postcode area. Click here to check your eligibility and apply: www.gov.uk/apply-warm-homes-
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
You could get a grant to cover part of the cost of replacing your gas boiler or other fossil fuel heating system with a heat pump or biomass boiler through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme: www.gov.uk/apply-boiler-
Warm Homes Plan
The government’s Warm Homes Plan is set to invest close to £15 billion in improving the UK’s homes to cut energy bills. The government has said this will include grants and low-interest loans to install insulation and low-carbon technologies in low-income households’ homes. This page will be updated when details of this emerge and applications can be made.
What government retrofit support is available in Wales?
Wales has the Nest scheme, which provides free advice and home improvements to help you save energy and money. Check your eligibility: www.gov.wales/nest-warm-homes-
What government retrofit support is available in Scotland?
If you need help to reduce your heating bills and make your home warmer, you could receive support worth £10,000 or more from the Scottish government under the Warmer Homes Scotland scheme. Check your eligibility: www.homeenergyscotland.org/
What support is available locally?
As well as the national schemes, there also local and devolved schemes available for households in some parts of the UK. The level of support available varies across area and local authority. Contact your local authority or look on their website to see what’s available in your area.
Our Retrofit Hubs
If you are in Sheffield, Burnley or Oldham, then you can access National Energy Action’s Retrofit Hubs, where you can go and speak to our retrofit experts about accessing advice and support to upgrade your home.
What if I rent?
By 2030, all private and social landlords in England and Wales will need to ensure that the properties they rent are at least Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) level C.
The Warm Homes: Local Grant is also open to private renters, with landlord consent.
If you are a social renter, your social landlord can apply to the Warm Homes Social Housing Fund.
Where can I find more guidance?
Energy Saving Trust has various resources that explain different aspects of retrofitting your home. energysavingtrust.org.uk/energy-at-home/
Trustmark acts as a trusted, non-profit signpost ensuring tradespeople meet required standards of technical competence, customer service, and trading practices. www.trustmark.org.uk/homeowner/discover/retrofit-your-home
Your local council may have guidance on upgrading your home.