Retrofit for climate and wellbeing

Many UK homes lose heat through draughts and poor insulation, while some also overheat during summer. A well-planned retrofit can make a home more comfortable and energy efficient, help reduce bills and address problems such as damp and mould.

Start with a whole-house retrofit plan so improvements work together. This might include repairing missing roof tiles, repointing brickwork or upgrading render before adding roof, floor or wall insulation. Ventilation and shading should also be considered to avoid trapping moisture or increasing summer overheating.

Low-carbon technologies such as solar panels and heat pumps can form part of a wider retrofit. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers eligible property owners grants towards installation, including £7,500 for air-to-water or ground source heat pumps and £9,000 for eligible off-gas-grid properties. Air-to-air heat pumps may also provide heating and cooling, with grants of £2,500 where eligible.

You can use Thermly’s free assessment to explore whether your home may be ready for a heat pump. If you’d like to see one in use before deciding, Nesta’s free Visit a Heat Pump service connects people with nearby householders who already have one, so they can see and hear it working and ask questions about living with it.