Retrofit Made Easy
On October 2023 and January 2024 about 40 residents attended a meeting on Cumbria Action for Sustainability’s new project ‘Retrofit Made Easy’ which provides support and advice to householders wanting to improve the heat performance of their home. At the same meeting members of the AAFAF Warmer Homes group reminded attendees of the offer of a free thermal image survey, normally recommended as a first step in a retrofit ‘journey’. The new project builds on AAFAF’s pioneering offer in Cumbria and is being rolled out in five more communities by CAfS through a major grant from the UK’s Energy Regress Scheme.
In fact retrofit isn’t easy or cheap and needs to be carefully planned to make it easier, which is where the CAfS advice service comes in, with help to make a plan and advice on design and finding contractors. Soon to be introduced is on-site support when work is underway.
Presentations at the events emphasised the importance of ‘fabric first’ – ensuring that insulation is upgraded to reduce heat loss before thinking of changing heating sources, such as bringing in a heat pump to replace a gas or oil boiler. Members of AAFAF presented work they have done on their homes: making simple changes to behaviour, insulation and technology; small improvements saving about 30% in energy costs; a major refit to a 1970s house to improve insulation and adding underfloor heating and a heat pump; and refurbishing an old stone-built house with modern windows and insulation.
Requests for a free heat loss survey can be made by sending an email to aafaf.warmerhomes@gmail.com.
In fact retrofit isn’t easy or cheap and needs to be carefully planned to make it easier, which is where the CAfS advice service comes in, with help to make a plan and advice on design and finding contractors. Soon to be introduced is on-site support when work is underway.
Presentations at the events emphasised the importance of ‘fabric first’ – ensuring that insulation is upgraded to reduce heat loss before thinking of changing heating sources, such as bringing in a heat pump to replace a gas or oil boiler. Members of AAFAF presented work they have done on their homes: making simple changes to behaviour, insulation and technology; small improvements saving about 30% in energy costs; a major refit to a 1970s house to improve insulation and adding underfloor heating and a heat pump; and refurbishing an old stone-built house with modern windows and insulation.
Requests for a free heat loss survey can be made by sending an email to aafaf.warmerhomes@gmail.com.
CAfS have recently produced the table below listing some grants that are available to householders to improve the heat performance of their property.
