What does retrofitting mean?

   Written by: Ben Thompson - Deputy CEO

Living sustainably is becoming more of a priority for many homeowners across the country. A term closely tied to sustainable living is ‘retrofitting.’ At its core, retrofitting is the process of making substantial changes to an existing building, usually to improve its eco-friendliness. Here's how you could use your mortgage to pay for energy-efficient upgrades, including solar panels.

This guide will break down everything you need to know about retrofitting your home. We’ll discuss what it means, why it’s important for a sustainable future, the benefits it can offer beyond saving energy, and explore the different financing options available. 

For example, you could look at remortgaging to release some funds for buying and installing solar panels, which can cost anywhere from £5,000 to £15,000.¹ 

Whether you’re a seasoned pro, or just starting out on the green train, we’re here to help equip you with the knowledge you need to transform your home into a comfortable, energy-efficient haven, built for the future.

If you're looking to remortgage to finance a retrofit, get in touch with us and let's discuss your options.

What is retrofitting?

Think of retrofitting as taking your home and optimising it for energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact. This can involve a range of improvements, but the foundational elements usually include boosting insulation and addressing drafts. 

Both improvements help trap heat in the winter and keep your home cooler in the summer, potentially contributing to less overall energy loss.

Here are some other areas you might consider if you’re doing an extensive retrofit:

Upgrading heating and cooling systems

Swap out old, inefficient heating and cooling systems for newer, more energy-efficient models. Think about heat pumps, solar water heating, or even smart thermostats for optimal energy usage.

Investing in renewable energy

Solar panels are a popular choice, but depending on your area, may not be a viable year-round solution. One of the easiest ways to ensure you’re using renewable energy is to work with providers who exclusively use and sell renewable energy. That being said, there are a host of interesting products to explore, from small wind turbines to biomass systems.

Choosing smart lighting and appliances

A cheaper alternative to big installation projects is opting for smart lighting and appliances during your home retrofit. Replace traditional incandescent bulbs with LED lighting and experiment with smart devices to control your electronics. For example, you can set up routines to turn lights and appliances off when you know you’ll be away from home. 

Remember, retrofitting doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing proposition. You can start small and prioritise the areas that will have the biggest impact on your energy use and budget.

Why retrofitting your home is important

We all play a part in contributing to climate change, and as it stands, homes and workplaces make up more than a third of all carbon emissions¹ in the UK.

Under the current climate agreement, which is bound in law, the UK needs to reach a goal of 80% in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050². While this may seem like a lofty goal, it’s not unachievable. That being said, there is a lot of work to be done. 

The Climate Change Committee has been proposing for some time that the UK government set into law that owner-occupied homes reach a minimum EPC rating of C by 2035², but as it stands no progress has been made. 

While in this case, it means that the onus is on the homeowner, the government could help accelerate the transition through a number of programmes and incentive schemes, which many would eagerly embrace. 

Total home retrofits can be expensive, and we’ll touch on what costs you can expect when you aim to retrofit your home, but for now, let’s look at some of the benefits. While we’re working towards a larger goal as a country, there are plenty of personal advantages to enjoy.

What are the benefits of retrofitting your home?

Retrofitting can not only help you improve the energy efficiency of your home, potentially saving you money, but it can also help create a more comfortable, even temperature year-round and help eliminate draughts. 

For an in-depth look at how much it could cost as well as how much you could potentially save, check out our article on the costs of retrofitting your home.

Retrofitting your home isn't just about saving money on your energy bills, although that's certainly a perk. It can also help improve the value of your property, your overall health and comfort, and help reduce your carbon footprint.

Let's explore the advantages of making your home more sustainable:

Enhanced comfort

A well-insulated home means a comfortable haven and consistent, year-round temperatures³. Draughty windows and doors could become a thing of the past, creating a more pleasant living environment.

Healthier living

Retrofitting your home often means you can address issues like dampness and mould growth, which can exacerbate allergies and respiratory problems⁴. Better ventilation in a sealed home can also improve indoor air quality.

Improved property value

Evidence suggests that buyers are increasingly looking for eco-friendly features - or, at the very least, a home that has a good EPC rating. In fact, nearly two-thirds of homebuyers surveyed⁵ indicated a desire to buy a sustainable home. 38% noted that they intended to buy a property with modern insulation, efficient boilers, and renewable energy supplies. This could potentially fetch a higher price tag when it comes time to sell.

Reduced environmental impact

This is the heart of sustainability. By using less energy, you’re lowering your home’s carbon footprint⁶. This not only benefits the environment, but also contributes to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, helping the world combat climate change.

Government and lender incentives 

There are a wide variety of financial incentives available to help with eco-friendly living, whether it’s a green mortgage or specific grants. Some schemes include: 

• The boiler upgrade scheme
• Heat pump financial incentives (currently available through UK Energy Support, British Gas, and Octopus Energy)
• Double and triple glazing grants available for household incomes below £31K
• Green deals with participating providers

How to retrofit your home

You can either tackle your home retrofit in one go, or in a few stages. While it’s most beneficial to retrofit your home in one fell swoop, this obviously has cost implications.

If you can’t manage a full home retrofit in one go, make sure you plan each stage with the whole house in mind. Taking the steps to retrofit one part of your home may lead to issues in another. For example, improving the glazing and draught proofing in one room could lead to damp problems in another if you don’t have suitable ventilation.

As a start, consider your insulation, which many refer to as the ‘building fabric.’ This will mean insulating your cavity walls and loft, or improving the insulation already there. From there you can look at airtightness and ventilation. After this stage you should look into improving the following areas for a true, full-scale retrofit:

• Heating and cooling systems
• Water heating systems
• Efficient lighting options
• Energy monitoring systems

Talk to a professional

Retrofitting your home is an important step towards a sustainable future, as it not only reduces your carbon footprint, but also offers several health and financial benefits. While the costs may seem initially daunting, there are financing options available that you could take advantage of. 

If you’re considering a retrofit and are aiming to remortgage to do so, get in touch with us today to arrange a no obligation call and discuss how we can help you find a deal that works for your circumstances.

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