Property Retrofit: The Ultimate Guide to Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Solutions for Your Home or Office
- PRO PURE DESIGN
- Jan 7
- 11 min read
We all have heard terms like retrofitting, improving energy efficiency, or creating a greener home. These all refer to updating older properties and improving their energy performance. This way we can significantly reduce the energy needed for a home and lower the utility bills. One more benefit of energy-optimised or retrofitted homes is that we decrease our reliance on fossil fuels, which helps lower carbon emissions and helps us do our bit for the environment.
New buildings in the UK are built according to all current energy standards. When it comes to older homes. Retrofitting is gaining higher and higher popularity across the UK because of the rising energy costs and sustainability goals, society has begun to pay more attention to their homes.
In this article, we’ll answer all important questions you may have about:
What is retrofitting?
How does retrofitting work and is it suitable for every property?
Why is retrofitting important and how does it serve for a greener home, lower bills and, a more sustainable future for our planet?
Table of Contents:
Glossary:
carbon footprint: this is the total amount of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO₂), that are emitted directly or indirectly by human everyday activities like driving cars, using electricity, or producing goods;
decarbonisation: refers to the process of adding insulation, fixing any gaps or leaks where air can get out, installing energy-efficient windows and doors;
fabric-first retrofit approach: this is the retrofitting approach that focuses on and prioritises the fabric elements of a house like walls, loft and floor insulation;
thermal envelope: defines the walls, roof and floor (think of their shape as an envelope from where the name comes) as the central house's elements and focal point of retrofitting effort.
What is a Home Retrofit?
According to Collins Dictionary, "to retrofit a building means to put new parts or equipment in it after it has been used for some time, especially to improve its safety or make it work better".
The UK's National Retrofit Strategy points out that retrofit is an integrated approach to transforming the energy and water needs and technical systems in our homes which requires quality in design, installation and customer care.
The environmental benefits of retrofitting homes are clear, but making your home more energy efficient can also improve your health and save you money on bills.
In our article about the benefits of property refurbishment, we talked about the main differences between retrofitting and regular home renovation and refurbishment. The most popular examples of retrofitting are things such as setting solar panels, energy-efficient heating, low-energy lighting, double-glazed windows and more.
Why is Energy Efficiency Rating Important in the UK
If you're looking to reduce your carbon footprint as part of a sustainable and eco-responsible lifestyle, improve your home's comfort, or reduce your expenses on energy, planning a retrofitting can be an excellent opportunity to explore broader options for improving your home's overall energy performance.
Benefits From Retrofitting Your Home
With different redesign and retrofitting measures like roof, walls and floor insulation, draught proofing, replacing old air and cooling systems, adding smart thermostats, etc. we can achieve higher energy efficiency for our home and thus contribute to the following positive impacts - both personal and for the environment and society:
Health, well-being and personal comfort: improved indoor air quality and consistent temperatures help prevent different health issues such as asthma or allergies, and improve the comfort we have at our homes;
Economic advantages: savings on our monthly energy bills can seem insignificant, but yearly we could save a lot keeping in mind that a more eco-friendly home could mean a potential property value increase (the so-called return on investment, or ROI) - either for renting or selling purposes;
Environmental impact: last, but not least reducing carbon footprint and achieving net-zero targets is a huge step towards a more sustainable future.
In this case, even the small steps matter. This is our personal effort towards reducing our carbon footprint. Contributing to the UK's sustainability initiatives and meeting future energy standards is a good reason for everyone to become more aware of the positive impact our choices and actions could have on the overall well-being of our society and the planet.
Retrofit Upgrades and Tips for Energy Saving
According to the Construction Leadership Council (CLC), our homes use 35% of all the energy in the UK and emit 20% of the carbon dioxide emissions.
To meet its ambitious green goals of reducing emissions by 78% by 2035 and achieving net zero by 2050, the UK must cope with the current level of household emissions. While new buildings in the UK have been constructed according to the highest energy standards in mind, the rest of the 28 million homes will need improvements through retrofitting. Implementing a national retrofit strategy would not only boost energy efficiency but also strengthen energy security and water supply resilience.
Early or late we'll all need to progress toward the net-zero target of the UK government. So which is the best approach to retrofit and what energy efficiency improvements should be our primary goal if our type of home is built before 1950?
Let's explore the most popular retrofitting techniques you can use to improve the overall condition and energy performance of your house.
Whole House Retrofit Project
Retrofitting is regarded as most effective when a comprehensive, whole-house strategy is applied. This approach allows you to select the most impactful and budget-friendly solutions for your property. It ensures your investments deliver the optimal value and outcomes while avoiding complications that can arise when the retrofitting projects are undertaken separately.
A full retrofit is a comprehensive plan for home improvements to make significant improvements to your home's energy efficiency. The recommendation is to start with retrofitting activities like insulation walls, loft, and floor, windows and doors draught-proofing, changing standard electric bulbs with LED, etc. (the so-called fabric-first approach) before undertaking some bigger actions and investments like PV (solar panels), for example.
Insulation: what is it and what are the types of insulation
Insulation is the process of applying a material or layer to prevent the transfer of heat, in or out of a space. It can refer both to the process of adding this protective barrier and the specific materials used for this purpose.
Insulation is usually one of the first steps undertaken and probably one of the most effective ways to prevent heat loss and ensure a steady temperature in our premises.
We have three parts of our house that need to be insulated, the walls, roof, and floor, and all three of them contribute differently to the overall energy-saving process and final effect. That's why the typical recommendation is to take care of your entire thermal envelope (walls, loft, and floor) to see maximum results.
Walls insulation (solid and cavity):
About a third of the heat can escape through the walls and some gaps around doors and windows. Typically walls can be either solid or in the form of a cavity. Usually houses built before 1930 have solid walls and anything built after has cavity walls and the insulation techniques and materials for both types are different.
Cavity walls can be easily and cheaply insulated by injecting them with an insulating material through small drilled holes from the outside. This procedure has been proven to reduce heat transfer through the walls. The pros of this method are that it is easy, affordable and proves effectiveness very soon. It requires professional help, and you can rely on the ProPure design team to help you with this.
The insulation material commonly used is either mineral wool or polystyrene beads, though polyurethane foam is sometimes a suitable alternative.
According to the Energy Saving Trust the potential savings on energy bills (£/year*) after cavity wall insulation could be:
£410 for detached house, £240 for semi detached house, £140 for mid-terrace house, and £110 for mid-floor flat.
* Note: the estimates are based on a gas-heated home with fuel prices as of October 2024, and the average installing costs not being subsidised.
Solid walls are more complex since there is no cavity to fill. Insulation can be applied externally or internally. External insulation involves adding cladding, which changes the appearance of the brickwork, while internal insulation reduces the usable floor space. Solid wall insulation is a more expensive procedure and requires more time.
Loft insulation:
Without adequate insulation, up to 25% of your home's heat can escape through the roof. Proper loft insulation creates a thermal barrier, reducing heat loss during winter and preventing excessive heat from entering during summer. In this way your home can be much more comfortable all year round and you can save on energy bills.
If your attic currently has minimal or no insulation (less than 25mm), upgrading it can lead to significant savings on a yearly base. Roof insulation is an affordable method, easy to implement (although professional help is recommended) and your ROI can be just two years or less.
The commonly used insulating materials for roofs include sheep or mineral wool, and rigid insulating boards.
Floor insulation:
Adding insulation to floors, particularly those above unheated spaces like basements is an effective way to prevent around 8% of heat loss and eliminate cold drafts. This type of insulation helps maintain a consistent indoor temperature by creating a barrier that reduces the transfer of heat between the interior and the cooler areas below.
Floor insulation is not a difficult process but again we don't advise you to do it yourself and ask for professional help. Request a free quote from ProPure Design and we will prepare a customised plan and offer according to your needs and budget.
Windows and Doors Draught-Proofing:
Draught-proofing is considered to be one of the most effective ways to save energy and money and shouldn't be overlooked. However, keep in mind that this retrofit method is less energy efficient compared to insulation, as the total area of potential energy leakage from windows and doors is significantly smaller than that of the thermal envelope (roof, walls, and floor combined).
Opting for double or triple-glazing windows and sealing all gaps around doors, windows and skirting boards could lead to reducing energy demand which means lower energy bills. Additional benefits include sound isolation and outside pollution prevention.
Upgrading from single to double glazing could reduce the cost of your bills by around £140 a year, according to surveys.
Hot Water and Heating
More than half of household energy costs are spent on heating and hot water. Installing an efficient heating system that runs on low-carbon fuel and is easy to control is one of the most effective ways to lower both your energy bills and carbon emissions.
Installing renewable heating systems such as a heat pump, solar water heating, or a biomass boiler is a great way to reduce your current energy consumption and utilise natural resources to generate heat. In this way, you will reduce your reliance on fossil fuels and lower your energy costs and environmental impact. Installing smart thermostats and heating controls ensures you don't waste energy on heating premises that are not inhabited at the moment.
Room-by-Room Retrofit Measures and Updates
Some other retrofitting measures and updates could be made in each of your rooms to have a more energy-efficient home.
Kitchen
Starting from your kitchen, new appliances and lighting can be among the energy efficiency measures that could save you money in a long-term perspective. Opting for energy-saving kitchen appliances can significantly lower your electricity costs. Whether you're changing your fridge, washing machine, or microwave, selecting models with better energy efficiency can also contribute to reducing your carbon footprint.
When choosing new white goods, check the energy labels which provide information on how much amount of energy each tool consumes. Appliances are evaluated under typical usage conditions and assigned a rating from A to G, where A represents the highest efficiency and G the lowest.
Living room and Bedroom
The easiest and most widely spread method to lower your energy consumption in your living room and bedroom is changing the lighting. Switching from traditional or halogen bulbs to LED ones is among the easiest energy efficiency improvements you can do by yourself.
Bathroom
While you may think the bathroom doesn't offer options for saving, we will surprise you. Let's start with the shower and mention the fact that around 20% of the overall water consumption in a household comes from it. When planning a bathroom retrofit, consider more water-efficient alternatives. There are plenty of options on the market and some showers can aerate the water flow, reducing water usage while still providing a refreshing experience. You can also find showerheads designed to limit water volume, delivering a high-pressure, massaging shower effect.
Other energy-efficient bathroom measures may include: limiting the time spent on showering, preferring a quick 3-4 minute shower instead of a long soak in the bath, repairing running taps and leakages, and replacing existing bulbs with LEDs.
How to Start Your Smart Retrofit Project
Now that you know the importance of retrofitting a house to improve energy consumption it's time to give you practical recommendations from where to start and what should be your next steps during the entire process.
Assessing Your Home:
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC):
An EPC is a key first step in understanding your home's current energy efficiency. It provides a rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and helps identify areas that need improvement, such as insulation or outdated heating systems. It's a requirement for many retrofitting schemes and gives a clear baseline from which to plan future improvements.
Planning and Prioritising:
The Fabric-First Approach:
This strategy prioritises improvements to the building’s physical structure, such as insulation, windows, and doors, before upgrading systems like heating or ventilation. By managing insulation and draughts, you ensure that energy use is minimised before proceeding with more budget and time-consuming retrofit activities like installing renewable energy systems such as solar panels.
Step-by-Step vs. Whole-House Retrofitting:
Choosing between the two main options is a crucial decision. A step-by-step approach allows you to prioritise the most urgent areas of your home based on needs and budget. A whole-house retrofit aims to achieve the entire home’s energy performance in one go. The latter may be more efficient and effective in the long run but typically requires a larger upfront investment.
Choosing the Right Professionals:
Professional help for energy efficiency upgrades:
It's essential to find professionals who are trained and certified to follow the highest standards of work. This will guarantee that the retrofitting work will be done properly and with strong attention to detail and safety regulations. This is especially important for complex installations like heat pumps or insulation, to make sure it is done in a way that optimises energy consumption without compromising the structure of your home.
You can rely on ProPure Design's qualified help and expertise to achieve the full scope of your retrofitting project and optimal results.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will I spend on a retrofit project?
It depends on many factors such as the size of your home, the scope of the activities, the materials used, etc. There are some retrofitting techniques like draught-proofing or attic insulation which are more budget-friendly compared to huge time and budget-consuming activities such as replacing the heating system or installing roof photovoltaics (PV).
Are there any government grants and schemes supporting retrofitting measures?
There are plenty of options you can benefit from, such as:
Will retrofitting increase the value of my property?
Retrofitting can contribute to increasing the value of your property by improving your home energy efficiency thus achieving energy savings. If you are considering future selling, keep in mind that potential buyers will probably pay attention to your Energy Performance Certificate.
Conclusion
Retrofitting your home for energy efficiency is not just a financial-inspired decision, but also an essential step toward a more sustainable future. By improving your home’s energy performance through insulation, energy-efficient heating systems, and renewable technologies, you can reduce your carbon footprint, lower energy bills, and increase the comfort in your living space. The key to your project's success lies in the right planning, prioritising, and working with qualified professionals.
For any questions regarding your retrofitting project, you can contact ProPure Design for expert advice and help.
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