Retrofit
Retrofitting is the process of upgrading existing buildings to make them more energy efficient. More efficient homes will not only be cheaper to run, but there are other benefits too, such as:
- Thermal comfort in your home, resulting in cooler rooms in the summer and warmer rooms in the winter
- Health benefits through reduced exposure to cold, condensation and mould
- Improved air quality
- Reduced noise pollution
- Lowering your home's impact on the environment
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 can save you money in the long term. They may include:
- Installing insulation (solid or cavity wall, loft and floor)
- Draught proofing
- Double or triple glazing
- Air or ground source heat pumps
- Flexible heating controls
- Renewable energy technologies like Solar Photovolatics (PV) or Solar Thermal panels and hot water systems
You can 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.
Financing your retrofit
Many residents will choose to finance the retrofit process themselves. In order to achieve the best outcome, we recommend using TrustMark approved suppliers and installers. TrustMark is a Government endorsed quality scheme covering home improvements. You can find TrustMark accredited businesses here.
There are a number of grants and funding sources available for home upgrades depending on eligibility. Find out more on our Energy Efficiency Grants page.
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.