Retrofit Review

Welcome to the new issue

Hi everyone 👋🏽

It's almost 2 weeks since we were in Manchester, knee-deep in retrofit action, events and activities. We welcomed a huge bunch of housing peeps for the online Summit looking at how to grow GM's retrofit market, unlock finance, lessons learned, future ambition + how devolution can speed up retrofit delivery. Then it was straight into The Home Upgrade Show with the Expo, Collaboration Theatre, Supply Chain Meet-Up and Warm Homes sessions (with Retrofit Information, Support and Expertise all at the wonderful Victoria Baths, Manchester.

In this issue (⚠ there's a lot) >> RAW activity hosts Energy Saving Trust are sharing the key take-aways from their recent 'Retrofit Now' event examining how to accelerate home energy upgrades - DEEP project - shape future of EPC's - NHF on how engagement can improve homes - greener rentals worth more (you know there's a 'but'!) - MP's don't 'get' green tech - Canadian retrofit finance progress - South West region's first Retrofit Action Week, March 2025 - Energy House grant funding - residents' solar action - building a green workforce - Manchester's retrofit action 'week' continues into Nov with Carbon Co-op, Groundwork and Switchee - £1bn for social housing energy efficiency - Where's the plan?

A packed issue. Skim through. Delve deeper. Read on, retrofitters...

Guest sponsor article

Need support to boost home energy efficiency improvements?

Energy Saving Trust is an independent organisation working to address the climate emergency.
We help businesses from a range of sectors and local authorities. Our impartial energy advice, digital tools, research, and communications enables them to play their part in building a sustainable future.
We recently hosted an event during Retrofit Action Week where experts from B&Q, TrustMark, the North East Combined Authority, and Lloyds Banking Group shared their thoughts on how to accelerate home energy upgrades.

Read our blog for our top takeaways from the discussion.

📰 News & Opinion

No one has a plan to fix Britain’s old, cold homes – POLITICO

It is, says one former UK energy minister, “the biggest problem” blocking the country's efforts to go green. How do you kit out the UK's millions of old, cold, drafty homes with better insulation and cleaner heating systems? After years in government grappling with the same issue, Britain's Conservatives are now going on the attack — seizing on what they believe is a major political blindspot for Labour and accusing their opponents of a real lack of ambition as winter approaches.

UK Funds £1bn for Social Housing Energy Efficiency | edie

The UK Government’s National Wealth Fund (NWF), in collaboration with Barclays UK Corporate Bank and Lloyds Banking Group, has announced a £1bn funding initiative make social housing more energy-efficient.

Retrofit Action Week (RAW) 2025

Partnership is crucial to successful retrofit - how do you attract new partners?

Choosing the right partners can be the difference between success and failure for most projects. For domestic property retrofit, that relationship is even more critical when trusted service providers engage directly with residents, and enter their property to create warmer, healthier and cheaper-to-heat homes.

As a Thought Leader partner at our perennially popular online Retrofit Summits, your business gains exposure to influential decision-makers.

Network with local government, housing, and community organizations seeking retrofit solutions and partners.

Generate leads, enhance brand visibility, and demonstrate your expertise.

Click link to get more info on partnering engagement opportunities in 2025.

Retrofit Action Week 2025 dates firmed up and ready to go!

Time to update your calendars! Our Retrofit Action Week (RAW) activity campaign dates have been confirmed for 2025. RAW campaign weeks provide an amazing opportunity for everyone working in housing retrofit and decarbonisation to host, partner and collaborate in a fast-growing network of knowledge and action around the UK.

Dates and further info

📅 Events

Greater Manchester's 'week' of retrofit action continues into November

The collaboration, learnings and engagement of Retrofit Action Week Greater Manchester extend and continue into November with more great hosted activities, open to all 💬 But hurry - places are booking up fast for all the events. Sign up soon

Switchee's Summit (6 Nov, Manchester) - Groundwork SHDF for Housing Associations - Data Focus (11 Nov, online) - Fuel Poverty Awareness Training (20 Nov, online)

Info and registration

Levenshulme Area-Based Retrofit Scheme, Wed, Oct 30, 2024 at 1:00 PM | Eventbrite

Carbon Co-op is leading this innovative pilot, which aims to bring opportunities for retrofit into communities on a tenure-blind basis, by addressing some of the barriers and challenges currently facing households in this field. Acting as an intermediary, Carbon Coop has brought together relevant professionals and the contractor on behalf of participating households, engaging households through effective community liaison. It is also co-ordinating a blended finance package tailored to householder circumstances. This webinar brings together a panel of key players in this approach to explore their experience of the process to date, now that works are on site.

👷🏽‍♀️👷🏽‍♂️ Skills and Training

Encouraging the green workforce of the future and bridging the skills gap - Renewable Energy Installer & Specifier

When we’re talking about the climate and the road to Net Zero, skills is always near the top of the agenda as one of the main challenges to achieving those goals. It's estimated that tens of thousands of new jobs will be needed to facilitate Net Zero. It’s acknowledged that the issue needs to be tackled from all aspects, with a focus on making pathways into renewable energy careers as accessible as possible.

🤩 Local/Regional Action

Retrofitting a new build – when three solar panels just aren’t enough - Renewable Energy Installer & Specifier

Richard and Jane were delighted with the space, layout and design of their new-build home in Gamlingay, Cambridgeshire. The local community was also perfect and had all the amenities they were looking for. However, one thing their new home wasn’t delivering on was efficiency. It meant that despite having a brand new property, they found themselves upgrading its entire network of pipes to install an air source heat pump, as well as adding several more solar panels and a battery storage system.

Friends of Energy House 2.0 Impact Fund | University of Salford

Grant funding: We are looking for impact-driven programmes that will raise awareness, provoke interest, improve knowledge, and deliver benefits on the themes of sustainability, energy efficiency and climate change. This work must impact the communities of students, residents and/or the wider public, particularly within Salford and Greater Manchester, although will consider national programmes.

Fund launched to assist home energy saving upgrades - Energy Live News

Homeowners and private tenants in North Somerset who have struggled to install energy saving upgrades can now seek assistance through the Enabling Works Fund. This initiative is funded by North Somerset Council’s share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is managed by the Centre for Sustainable Energy. The Enabling Works Fund aims to cover the costs needed to prepare homes for energy-saving improvements, helping residents improve their properties and reduce energy bills.

Get info on the South West region's first Retrofit Action Week, March 2025.

🌍 International

Edmonton makes CEIP permanent | CTV News

Canada | A program providing financing for clean energy retrofits will open permanently to Edmontonians on Oct. 17. Initially funded for four years with $20 million from the province, the Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) will finance projects like installing solar photovoltaic systems, upgrading insulation, and improving heating and cooling systems in commercial and residential properties. That is enough for about 300 residential projects and 16 commercial projects, city administration estimates. Property owners pay the financed amount back through their taxes over a period of up to 20 years.

💬 Reports, Research, Guides

New MPs are ‘greener’ but misunderstand green tech, poll finds | Green Economy

The poll was carried out by YouGov on behalf of the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit. According to the poll, around 31 per cent of Labour MPs (and 27 per cent of all MPs) thought “hydrogen can play a significant role in heating homes in the future.” A smaller 19 per cent of Labour MPs believe that “hydrogen can play a niche role in heating homes in the future.” This mindset contracts significantly with what experts are saying about hydrogen, claiming it is not the solution to home decarbonisation.

Demonstration of Energy Efficiency Potential (DEEP) - GOV.UK

The aim of the DEEP project was to investigate taking a system-level approach to retrofit, considering the entire dwelling rather than the performance of individual measures. Typically defined as a ‘whole-house’ approach, this appreciates the complex interactions between fabric, ventilation and the occupant.

Our recent Greater Manchester Retrofit Summit featured a fascinating and detailed presentation from University of Salford/Energy House's David Farmer telling us about the DEEP retrofit project and thermal performance. 🔔 Resources from all three mornings of the summit will be shared to all soon - look out for the update coming 🔜.

Greener rentals worth nearly £20K more but landlords need Government support to retrofit by 2030 deadline | Nationwide

Landlords can boost the price of their properties and see growth in rental income through green retrofitting, according to The Mortgage Works’ latest quarterly buy-to-let report. But with more than one in eight (16%) landlords surveyed not willing or able to invest in their properties – despite a 2030 deadline for all rental properties to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C or above - The Mortgage Works is calling on the government for greater incentives. Those surveyed aged 55 and above are most likely to express doubt over whether they can meet the deadline, with just under four in ten (38%) saying this was the case.

Shape the Future of EPCs | NRH Survey

The National Retrofit Hub is collaborating with the entire retrofit sector to inform how Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) could be improved to support high-quality retrofit at scale. We’re gathering insights from everyone driving this change to shape our recommendations and contribute to the upcoming government consultation on EPC reform. Together, we can make a real impact. Thank you for taking the time to share your views!

NHF report outlines how engagement can improve condition of homes - elemental

The National Housing Federation (NHF) has published a report outlining how social landlords can make every contact with their residents count – to help improve the condition of their homes, services and health and wellbeing.

⏭ Coming up

In the next issue of Retrofit Review

👀 All eyes are on the budget next week.

Look out for the next issue of 'Retrofit Review' when we will look at how the budget proclamations will impact the drive for housing decarbonisation, retrofit and people's energy bills.

Not to be missed - however it goes!

As always, thanks for reading - it's great to have you with us.

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