An introduction to retrofitting
The benefits
- A more efficient home which will be warmer, cheaper to run and less draughty.
- Investing in energy efficient home improvements may cost more upfront but will save you money over its lifetime.
- A better Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating which is likely to increase the value of your property.
Examples of retrofitting include:
- Insulating roofs, walls and floors
- Replacing windows
- Improving ventilation or draught proofing
Installing efficient heating and hot water systems
- Installing renewable energy eg solar panels
If you are not sure where to start, you can get a whole house assessment which will tell you best way forward, how much it is likely to cost and in what order you should proceed. Cosy Homes Oxfordshire offers this service for our local area for a fee.
You may be eligible for other loans and grants to improve the energy efficiency of your home here.
When approaching retrofit installers you should make sure they are MCS (Microgeneration Certificate Scheme) accredited – this is one of the eligibility requirements to receive a government grant for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
There are lots of other organisations which offer useful advice about retrofitting homes, including the Centre for Sustainable Energy, TrustMark, Energy Saving Trust and the Centre for Alternative Technologies.
Free loan of thermal cameras available from us to help identify heat loss
We have a thermal camera available for town and parish councils and community groups to use to identify heat loss in buildings. The infrared thermal imaging equipment can show clearly ‘cold spots’ where insulation could improve energy efficiency and thereby reduce energy waste and costs. It can easily locate areas of significant heat loss without invasive techniques affecting the fabric of the building.
If your organisation would like to borrow the equipment (free of charge) please contact the climate action team at climateaction@southandvale.gov.uk. The camera is only effective during cold weather when the heating is on and is available on a first come, first served basis.
Rented properties
If you are renting your home, the law requires that the property meets a minimum energy efficiency standard of EPC E, unless it is exempt.
Tenants may wish to actively engage with their landlords to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Cosy Homes Oxfordshire has a communications pack for rental tenants to help with this.
Listed buildings and buildings in conservation areas
Listed buildings or buildings in conservation areas are applicable for an exemption certificate where: ‘Compliance with the minimum energy requirements would unacceptably alter their character or appearance.’ This is not a blanket exception and in most cases some improvements can be made to a listed building without harming its character or historic interest.
Where to go for retrofit advice and examples
When approaching retrofit installers, you should make sure that they are MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) accredited – this is one of the eligibility requirements to receive a government grant for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
There are lots of other organisations which offer useful advice about retrofitting homes, including the Centre for Sustainable Energy, TrustMark, the Energy Saving Trust and the Centre for Alternative Technologies.
Examples
Take a look here on the Cosy Homes website for some stories from homeowners in Oxfordshire who have been on their own home retrofit journeys.
If you are considering the benefits and costs of different green technologies and want to read about other people’s experiences, the Energy Saving Trust case study database has lots of examples.
Do you need planning permission for retrofitting?
See our dedicated page which explains whether you will need planning permission for your retrofitting plans.
Costs and funding
The costs will vary depending on the size of your house, its energy efficiency and how old it is. Ultimately, upfront investment as part of any retrofit work will be paid back through long-term energy savings.
Cosy Homes Oxfordshire have a free online tool called Plan Builder which can give an overview of the retrofit opportunities for your homes. They can then offer initial home assessments by their expert Retrofit Assessors, and this information will be used to develop a bespoke Whole House Plan for your home. This costs from £250, depending on the size of your home.
You may be eligible for other loans and grants to improve the energy efficiency of your home here.
