Retrofitting might sound technical, but it’s really about making your home greener and more cost-effective. By upgrading your home’s energy efficiency, you can lower your bills, reduce your carbon footprint, and enjoy a more comfortable living space.
We sat down with Michael Zohouri, founder of The Retrofitters, to learn more about retrofitting and why it’s such an important step for homeowners. “Retrofitting isn’t just about saving energy — it’s about creating healthier, greener spaces for the future,” Michael explained.
The good news? Retrofitting doesn’t have to happen all at once. You can start with simple changes and work your way toward bigger projects over time. This guide will show you where to begin and how to make the biggest impact.
What Is Retrofitting?
Retrofitting means improving your home with modern, energy-saving features. Unlike major renovations, retrofitting works with what’s already there — adding or upgrading elements like insulation, heating systems, or solar panels to make your home more efficient.
It’s a flexible process. You can start small, fix the most obvious problems, and work your way up to larger projects as your budget and time allow. The goal is to create a home that’s better for you and the environment, one step at a time.
Step 1: Start with an Energy Audit
Before making changes, it’s important to know where your home is losing energy. An energy audit checks for weak spots — like draughty windows, poor insulation, or inefficient heating. This gives you a clear idea of where to focus your efforts.
How to Do It: You can hire a professional for a thorough energy assessment or do a simple DIY check. Look for draughts around doors and windows, check how quickly your home loses heat, and inspect your boiler or heating system.
Why It Matters: An energy audit helps you identify the most pressing issues. This saves time and money by focusing on upgrades that will make the biggest difference.
Step 2: Add Insulation
Insulation is one of the most effective ways to save energy. Without it, heat escapes through your walls, roof, and floors, making your home harder and more expensive to heat. Adding insulation is a simple fix that can have a huge impact.
Quick Fixes:
- Add loft insulation to prevent heat loss through the roof.
- Install cavity wall insulation, or use breathable solid wall insulation for older homes.
- Insulate under wooden floors to stop draughts and keep rooms warmer.
Why It Matters: Insulation can significantly reduce energy usage. For example, insulating the UK’s eight million solid-walled homes could reduce energy bills by up to 30% in some cases.
Step 3: Upgrade Windows and Doors
Windows and doors are common places where heat escapes. Retrofitting them with double or triple glazing can greatly improve energy efficiency. If replacing windows isn’t an option, draught-proofing strips around the frames are an easy way to block cold air.
Extra Tip: Secondary glazing is a great option for listed or heritage homes. It preserves the original look of your windows while improving thermal performance.
Why It Matters: Upgrading to A-rated double glazing transforms your home into a warmer, quieter space with fewer draughts. In a fully single-glazed, gas-heated semi-detached home, this simple change could save you £140 a year on energy bills while cutting carbon emissions by 380kg.
Step 4: Choose Better Heating
Your heating system is a major factor in your energy use. Older boilers waste a lot of energy. Upgrading to a modern condensing boiler or a renewable heating system like a heat pump can drastically reduce your energy costs.
Heat pumps are highly efficient and use electricity instead of gas, making them much greener. They work best in homes with good insulation, so combining upgrades is key.
Pro Tip: Government schemes like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) can help cover the cost of installing a heat pump, making it a more affordable option.
Step 5: Add Renewable Energy
Installing solar panels is a great way to produce your own energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Modern options, like low-profile panels or solar tiles, blend seamlessly with your roof and are ideal for modern and period homes.
Bonus: If your panels produce more energy than you need, you can sell the excess back to the grid through schemes like the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). This means you could even earn money from your system.
Why It Matters: Solar panels help lower your energy bills, make your home more self-sufficient, and reduce your carbon footprint.
Step 6: Switch to LED Lighting
Lighting is a simple but effective upgrade. Traditional incandescent bulbs use a lot of energy and don’t last long. Switching to LEDs is a quick win — they use much less electricity and last much longer.
Why It Matters: LEDs reduce electricity costs and waste while keeping your home well-lit and welcoming.
Step 7: Use Smart Technology
Smart home technology makes it easy to manage your energy use. Smart thermostats, for example, let you control your heating from your phone. Energy monitors show where you’re using the most energy, helping you cut back.
Why It’s Worth It: Smart controls can help you save on your energy bills and make your life more convenient by automating your heating and lighting systems.
Step 8: Don’t Forget Ventilation
Good ventilation is essential, especially if you’ve added insulation or upgraded windows. While these improvements keep heat in, they can also trap moisture. This can lead to damp, condensation, or mould.
What to Do: Install a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system. It brings in fresh air while keeping the warmth inside, improving air quality without wasting energy.
Why It Matters: Ventilation keeps your home healthy and comfortable while preventing long-term issues like damp and mould.
Take It One Step at a Time
Retrofitting doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start small with easy fixes like draught-proofing or upgrading your lighting. Then, as your budget allows, move on to bigger projects like insulation or heating upgrades.
“Every improvement, no matter how small, brings you closer to a greener, more comfortable home,” says Michael Zohouri, founder of The Retrofitters. “Retrofitting is about finding the right solutions for your home and building on them over time.”
