Retrofit

Retrofit

Retrofitting is the process of making existing buildings more energy efficient. This might range from small activities such as fitting energy-efficient light bulbs to installing cavity wall insulation or heat pumps.

We are all feeling the impacts of rising energy bills, meaning there’s never been a better time to consider what changes you can make in your own home. More efficient homes will not only be cheaper to run, they will also require less energy to heat, therefore resulting in a lower impact on the environment.

The scale of the task is immense with the UK Green Building Council estimating that 1.8 homes per minute will need to be retrofitted to deliver the UK government’s commitment to net zero by 2050.

There are many simple measures you can take to save energy, such as:

  • Switching off lights and equipment (not leaving them on standby)
  • Using energy saving light bulbs
  • Turning down the heating and wearing extra clothing
  • Only heating the rooms you use and closing doors between rooms

Other measures are more expensive but can save you money in the long term. They may include:

  • Installing insulation
  • Draught proofing
  • Double glazing
  • Condensing boilers
  • Flexible heating controls
  • Renewable energy technologies like solar PV and hot water systems

As a starting point, get in touch with our partner Act on Energy who can provide free and impartial advice on how to make your home more energy efficient.  

TrustMark

TrustMark is a Government endorsed quality scheme covering home improvements.

You can find a retrofit co-ordinator near you.

Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA) Report

The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change requires local authorities in England to provide a report every two years, setting out the energy conservation measures that the authority considers practicable, cost-effective and likely to result in significant improvement in the energy efficiency of residential accommodation in the area.

You can find a 2 page summary of the report for Solihull here.