Why should I retrofit my home?
If you want to improve the energy efficiency of your home – retrofit is just a catch-all word for this.
A well-retrofitted home means no more annoying draughts and a more even temperature all year round. Because you’re using less energy, your bills go down and so does your carbon footprint. Fixing damp and mould problems as part of retrofit work can also make your home healthier to live in. On top of that, housing market data shows that improving a home’s energy efficiency and decarbonising its heating tends to increase its resale value.
Where do I get really good advice on retrofitting my home?
There’s a blizzard of information out there and it can be very confusing. Most people you speak to will have a particular product or solution they want to sell you. MEA has been working in fuel poverty and decarbonisation for nearly 30 years – and as a charity we’re totally impartial and independent, with no products to sell. If you want to reduce your energy bills by doing some eco home improvements, reach out to our retrofit team advice@mea.org.uk
What is ‘fabric first’ retrofit?
“Fabric first” means improving your home’s ability to retain heat — insulating the roof, walls, windows, doors and floor — before upgrading your heating system, because the cheapest, cleanest energy is the energy you never use.
Retrofit covers any change you make to your home to improve its energy efficiency. Fabric first is usually the best approach, since reducing how much heat you lose cuts your energy demand from day one. That said, it’s not the only approach: if cutting your carbon footprint quickly is your main priority, it can make sense to install a heat pump to replace a gas or oil boiler even before fabric improvements are done. Solar panels are more flexible and can be installed at almost any time, provided your roof is in good condition.
Will I need planning permission or Building Regulations sign-off for my retrofit?
Most retrofit measures don’t need planning permission, but works affecting a ‘thermal element’ — external walls, floors or roofs — usually need Building Regulations sign-off.
For planning permission guidance, check the Planning Portal’s home improvement pages. For Building Regulations, installers fitting measures like solar panels or new windows will normally handle sign-off for you. For other work, your builder or architect can advise, or you can contact your local council’s Building Control department or an approved inspector directly.
Are heat pumps any good? I’ve heard mixed things.
Yes — heat pumps are highly efficient and can heat any home when installed and run correctly.
They work best running at a relatively low flow temperature (around 40–50°C) continuously, rather than being switched on and off like a traditional boiler. Getting the right result depends heavily on installation quality: your heat pump should be fitted by a skilled, experienced heating engineer who carries out detailed room-by-room heat loss calculations to design the system properly. Replacing a gas or oil boiler with a heat pump powered by green electricity is one of the quickest ways to decarbonise a home. For more detail, see our webinars on heat pumps or get in touch with the retrofit team at MEA advice@mea.org.uk
Why is proper ventilation so important in a retrofitted home?
Improving your home’s insulation and airtightness means you also need to improve ventilation, otherwise moisture can build up and cause problems with damp and black mould.
Draughts do ventilate a home, but in an uncontrolled and wasteful way. Controlled mechanical ventilation — extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms, or a whole-house MVHR (mechanical ventilation with heat recovery) system — is the better long-term solution. Watch our webinar on airtightness and ventilation to learn more.
How do I finance my retrofit? Are there any grants available for home energy improvements?
Homeowners in England and Wales can get a £7,500 grant towards a new heat pump through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, plus local grants and green mortgages may also be available.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme: Apply through your MCS accredited installer for £7,500 towards a new heat pump. You must own the property and be replacing an existing fossil fuel or electric heating system. The grant is temporarily raised to £9,000 if you’re replacing an oil or LPG boiler before March 2027.
Local grant schemes: If you receive certain benefits or are on a limited income, you may be eligible for support through government-funded schemes such as the Warm Homes Local Grant:
- Shropshire: visit the Shropshire Council website
- Herefordshire: visit Keep Herefordshire Warm
- Derbyshire: visit Warmer Derby and Derbyshire
Green mortgages: A growing number of banks and building societies offer green mortgage products to encourage retrofit.
Where can I see real-world examples of retrofit?
MEA regularly runs ‘Open Home’ events, where householders in Shropshire, Telford and Herefordshire open their doors to show the retrofit work they’ve done and share what they learned along the way.
Sign up for our newsletter (use the form at the bottom of this website) to hear about upcoming Open Home events near you.
What questions should I ask before selecting a builder or installer?
Ask around your friends and family for recommendations as well as using this Directory. When discussing your project with your builder, you will likely get a clear sense of whether they really understand your vision and your priorities – and whether they know their stuff. Ask to contact their 3 most recent clients – not their favourite clients – and ask these clients how the process was, did they communicate clearly, stick to budget and timescale, clear up, all the things that matter most to you.
For really good advice from a seasoned pro who knows the building trade inside out, have a look at this webinar with Nick Parsons.
What materials are suitable for retrofitting my home, and where can I source them?
The right materials depend on your home’s construction: pre-1920s solid wall homes need ‘vapour-open’ natural materials, while modern cavity wall homes can generally use a wider range of products. If your home was built before 1920, it’s likely solid wall construction with no cavity, and the walls need to ‘breathe’. Use vapour-open, natural materials such as woodfibre insulation and lime plaster, and avoid oil-based products like PIR board and certain paints. Specialist suppliers of traditional building materials include Ty Mawr in Brecon and Lime Green in Much Wenlock. If your home is modern cavity construction, most materials will be suitable, and your architect or builder can advise on the best options. Learn more in our webinar on retrofit materials.
Are solar panels worth it? Is a battery worth adding too?
The simple answer is Yes – and Yes.
As more of what we use — heating, cars, air conditioning — runs on electricity, managing your electricity supply and bills becomes more important. Batteries let you store cheap overnight electricity (often around 7p/kWh between midnight and 6am) for use during the day. Solar panels are generally a strong investment because they generate free electricity once installation costs are paid back — for high electricity users with a reasonably sized roof, payback periods can be as short as three years. Roofs facing south, east or west are typically suitable for solar, and flat-dwellers can consider plug-in solar as an alternative.
