Greener homes, brighter future

Retrofitting means upgrading your home to make it more energy-efficient, lower its carbon footprint, and improve overall comfort. It plays a vital role in helping the UK meet its net zero targets by 2050. With one of the oldest and least energy-efficient housing stocks in Western Europe — and around 80% of today’s homes still expected to be in use by 2050 — retrofitting is essential to creating a more sustainable future.

Costs vary widely and each property is different. A full retrofit might range from £10,000 to £35,000 or more but smaller upgrades like draught-proofing can be done for a few hundred pounds.

Properly installed measures like insulation, efficient heating systems and solar panels can significantly reduce energy bills in many cases.

It depends on your home and what you’re looking to achieve. Common upgrades include: 

• Insulation 
• Double/triple glazing 
• Heat pumps 
• Solar panels 
• Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR)  
• Airtightness measures such as applying liquid membranes 

Cambridge City Council has a retrofit guide which can help you identify your property type and the types of retroftting options which may be available to you.

The UK Green Building Council is another good resource.

Most homes can benefit but older properties may need tailored solutions. A professional energy assessment helps identify the best options for your home.

As with all trades, always check credentials, reviews, and ask for references. Evidence of professional accreditations and association memberships is good to look out for and you might consider asking a few suppliers for a quote for comparison. Also look at the various guides and resources available from organisations such as Cambridge Carbon Footprint, the National Retrofit Hub and UK Green Building Council.

It depends on the scope. Small upgrades may take a few days with minimal disruption, while deeper, whole-house retrofits can take weeks and may require temporary relocation.

Energy-efficient homes can attract higher valuations and buyer interest, especially those with improved EPC ratings.