Save energy and money at home
How to do it
Retrofits can happen in stages, or be carried out all at once. It is best to combine upgrades, extensions or building works with more advanced energy efficiency measures. Installations and upgrade needs depend on the house type and age. The most important measures include:
- Standard upgrades - LED lighting, window replacement, door replacement
- Intermediate upgrades - External wall insulation, ground floor insulation, loft insulation, ventilation
- Enhanced upgrades - Thicker insulation, solar PV, low-carbon heat, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery
For help and advice about where to start, visit the Energy Saving Trust website.
Doing works together is recommended. This ensures all energy efficiency measures work with one another. For example, glazing and draught-proofing measures can increase the risk of damp problems without providing proper ventilation. Staged retrofit works are possible, but it is useful to plan with the whole house in mind.
For staged approaches, it is important to follow a ‘fabric first’ approach. This means that your house needs to be properly insulated before other measures are installed to avoid an increase in energy costs.
It is important that any retrofit works are undertaken properly with a tailored plan and design. TrustMark offers an overview of local skilled tradespeople who are certified to work to high standards.
There are many benefits of retrofit and they and can be tailored to your specific needs, for example:
- Reducing energy costs
- Reducing your impact on the climate
- Improving living comfort
The Ecofurb tool can help you understand which retrofit options work best for your individual needs.
Links to information about key retrofit aspects can be found below. For further information, the Energy Saving Trust website provides informative guidance and support. You can call them for free on 0808 196 8260.
Energy efficiency
- Doors and windows - Energy Saving Trust
- Insulation - Energy Saving Trust
- Ventilation and airtightness - Centre for Sustainable Energy web page
Low carbon heat
- Visit the Energy Saving Trust for information about heating your home. They also have some handy information about heat pump installations.
- Read the National Grid's 2022 guide on heat pumps
Demand flexibility
- Energy storage - Centre for Sustainable Energy web page
- Smart meters - Government web page
Renewable energy generation
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Solar panels - Energy Saving Trust