Summer bank holiday
Some Council services will be closed for the bank holiday on Monday 25 August 2025.
Retrofitting is the process of upgrading existing buildings to make them more energy efficient.
There are a number of benefits of retrofitting your home, such as:
The UK has one of the oldest and least energy efficient housing stock in Europe, while in Solihull, the domestic sector was responsible for 24% of borough emissions in 2022 – the second-highest single source. This means retrofitting our domestic housing stock in Solihull has a key role to play in reducing emissions.
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. This might range from small activities such as fitting energy-efficient light bulbs to more expensive measures which could save you money in the long term. Common retrofit measures include:
Finding out your home’s EPC rating is a crucial first step to understanding how to make your home more energy efficient. A good EPC rating of at least C will make your home more attractive to potential buyers, increase thermal comfort, and reduce fuel bills. View the Government website to get started.
In order to achieve the best outcome, we recommend finding a TrustMark approved Retrofit Co-ordinator. TrustMark is a Government endorsed quality scheme covering home improvements. You can find TrustMark accredited Retrofit Co-ordinators, suppliers and businesses here. TrustMark also provide a guide on retrofitting your home.
You can also get in touch with our partner Act on Energy on 0800 988 2881 or advice@actonenergy.org.uk, to receive free and impartial advice on how to make your home more energy efficient.
Many residents will choose to finance the retrofit process themselves through options ranging from personal savings, personal loans, installer repayment offers, green mortgages and equity release. There are also a number of grants and funding sources available for home upgrades depending on eligibility. Find out more on our Energy Efficiency Grants page.
There is a range of further advice and help available below:
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 summary of the report for Solihull here.