Retrofit
What is retrofit?
Retrofit means adding energy efficient upgrades to an existing home, helping to keep it warm while reducing its impact on the environment. Every home will be unique, and we’ll choose the improvements that will have the biggest and most positive impact.
There are lots of different ways we can improve the energy efficiency and cost of running of your home.
What are the benefits?
Reduced risk of damp and mould
Retrofit work will reduce condensation in your home, which will eliminate the environment where damp or mould could thrive.
Better air quality
Through improved ventilation, stale air will be taken away from your home and replaced with fresh, clean air.
Heat loss prevention
By installing modern insulation and fixing any draughts, heat will be kept inside your home - where it belongs!
Lowered environmental impact
That's one the best things about retrofit - you can heat your home with a much lower carbon footprint.
Less energy usage
Once your retrofit work has been completed, it'll take much less energy to heat your home. This can often result in lower energy bills.
Decreased health risks
Your health can be impacted by living in a cold home, and keeping your home at a warm and comfortable temperature can be beneficial for your mental and physical wellbeing.
Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs)
ASHPs are a smart, sustainable upgrade for your home. They harness naturally occurring heat from the outside air to provide heating and hot water inside your home, using far less electricity than traditional systems and working efficiently even in cold weather.
We install ASHPs to replace older, less efficient systems like storage heaters and old oil boilers . The heat they collect warms the water in your radiators and hot water tank, keeping your home cosy and comfortable all year round.
Solar Panels
When we talk about solar panels, we’re talking about Solar Photovoltaics, or ‘PV’. This means they produce electricity, rather than hot water.
Solar panels capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity to use in your home, providing renewable, clean electricity to help power your home and appliances.
The stronger the sunshine, the more electricity generated, however they don’t need direct sunlight to work and will work even on cloudy days. Your home will automatically use the energy from your Solar PV system before using energy from the grid.
Insulation
Good insulation helps keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer by reducing heat loss. It helps maintain a more consistent indoor temperature, making your home more comfortable year-round. Plus, it can also cut down on noise from outside.
Cavity Wall Insulation fills the gap (or cavity) between the inner and outer walls of your home with insulating material.
External Wall Insulation can be attached to the outside of your home. This helps to prevent heat loss through solid walls and reduces cold internal surfaces that can cause condensation and mould.
Loft insulation is laid between and over the joists on the floor of the loft, preventing heat escaping through the roof, making your home more energy-efficient and comfortable.
Ventilation
Good ventilation is key to a healthy, comfortable home. It helps remove stale air, excess moisture and indoor pollutants (like smoke, dust and allergens).
We will always review your home ventilation as part of any retrofit project. If your home does not have adequate ventilation, this can cause problems like condensation, damp and mould. Alongside good habits like keeping your windows slightly open when you shower, or keeping lids on your pots and pans when you cook, we’ll look at installing trickle vents in windows, door undercuts and extractor fans – these simple measures can go a long way.
High Retention Storage Heaters
These are a modern, energy-efficient way to heat your home. These advanced heaters store electricity during off-peak times (when energy costs are lower) and release heat gradually throughout the day, keeping your home warm when you need it most.
Your retrofit journey
Step 1: retrofit assessment
To begin the process, you’ll be contacted by one of our retrofit assessors to book in your whole house energy assessment. This will give us an insight into the energy efficiency of your home as well as any relevant repairs that may be needed. This will last around three hours and will include giving you energy saving advice, an opportunity to answer any questions you may have, and for us to make note of any specific requirements you need.
Step 2: technical surveys
Following your retrofit assessment, you’ll receive an update letting you know which measures may be suitable, and which of our contractors will be in touch to arrange the technical surveys. This might include surveys on your current insulation or heating system. The retrofit team will report any outstanding repairs that were identified during the initial assessment of your home. Some of these repairs or upgrades may need to be completed before the retrofit work takes place, while others can take place after.
Step 3: making a plan
Once the surveys have been completed, your tenant engagement officer will be in touch to provide you with a plan for your home. This will explain all the planned retrofit work, which contractors you’ll hear from, and what outcomes we expect following the improvements. Your tenant engagement officer will be available to answer any questions throughout your retrofit journey.
Step 4: installation
Depending on which measures your home needs, contractors will call you directly to book in these installations. They’ll confirm a suitable time and date with you in advance. Depending on how much work is needed, these installations may be on separate days, but we’ll minimise disruption as much as possible. At the end of the installation, the contractor will make sure you understand how to use any of the measures that have been installed, such as the heating controls.
Step 5: completion and feedback
Once the work has been completed, an assessor will call you to book in one final survey to assess how the measures have benefitted your home and made it more energy efficient. Please note this survey is mandatory to ensure compliance. We’ll also ask for feedback on the entire process and answer any questions you may have. Your comfort and wellbeing are important to us and we want to make sure you’re happy with the end result.
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