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Your Home Retrofit Guide 2025: Grants, Quick Wins & What Works

Your Home Retrofit Guide 2025: Grants, Quick Wins & What Works
Photo by David Bayliss / Unsplash

Your Home Retrofit Guide 2025: Grants, Quick Wins & What Works

Retrofit doesn’t have to be confusing. This guide gives homeowners and renters a simple plan: what to do first, how to fund it, and who to trust — in plain English.

New: Pros & practitioners — see our Retrofit Resources Index.

1) Quick wins this month

Start small, feel the difference, then plan the big stuff.

  • Draught-proofing doors, windows, letterboxes
  • LED lighting and basic heating controls
  • TRVs (radiator valves) and balancing radiators
  • Low-flow shower heads, pipe insulation, hot-water tank jackets
  • Smart meter data: spot waste, set alerts

Why it matters: quick wins cut bills and make rooms feel warmer — while you plan whole-house measures.

2) The 5-step retrofit plan (simple + safe)

1. Assess → understand the building (age, walls, moisture, ventilation)
2. Fabric first → stop heat escaping (insulation & airtightness)
3. Ventilate right → avoid damp/mould (trickle vents/MEV/MVHR)
4. Heat smart → right-sized system (condensing boiler run well or a heat pump)
5. Control & monitor → keep comfort, trim waste (smart stats, schedules)

Got a traditional or solid-wall home? Treat moisture management as non-negotiable: insulate thoughtfully and ventilate correctly.

3) Grants & financial help (England, Scotland, Wales, NI)

Funding changes often. Use the official hubs below, then check your council’s pages.

Tip: keep documents handy (EPC, benefits status, income band, property age). Many schemes ask for them.

4) What works for common UK homes

Solid-wall homes (e.g., 1930s, Wimpey No-Fines):

  • Internal or external wall insulation done with moisture safety, plus ventilation upgrades.
  • Secondary glazing or thin-profile double glazing where possible.
  • Airtightness detailing around floors/lofts.

Cavity-wall homes (post-1930s):

  • Check/repair cavity fill; top-up loft to modern levels; seal draughts.
  • Efficient heating + weather/time-based controls.

Flats & terraces:

  • Coordinate with freeholders/managing agents.
  • Focus on windows, party-wall edges, ventilation.

5) Heat pumps vs boilers (plain English)

  • Heat pumps are efficient and quiet when the house is draft-tight, radiators sized right, and flow temps kept low.
  • Boilers still work best when run cooler (try 55–60°C) and paired with controls and good insulation.
  • Either way: fabric + ventilation first, then pick the system.

6) Avoiding damp & mould (the golden rules)

  • Fix leaks & cold bridges, add controlled ventilation.
  • Don’t block air bricks or trickle vents after insulating.
  • Use moisture-open materials in older walls where appropriate.
  • After works, monitor humidity (aim for ~40–60% RH).

7) Who to trust (and how to choose)

  • Look for qualified installers with relevant accreditation (e.g., TrustMark/MCS for funded work).
  • Ask for designs, airflow calcs, radiator sizing/flow temps, and a handover pack.
  • Get 2–3 quotes and compare like-for-like scope (not just price).

8) Local guides worth bookmarking

Councils publish practical guides you can reuse:

9) Jargon-free FAQs

What should I do first?
Start with an assessment and quick wins, then insulate/air-seal with ventilation, and finally address heating and controls.

Will a heat pump work in my home?
Yes, if the house is draft-tight, radiators sized right, and flow temperatures are kept low. Many “heat pump problems” are design problems.

How do I stop damp/mould after insulating?
Ventilation is essential. Pair insulation with trickle vents/MEV/MVHR and fix cold spots.

I rent — can I do anything?
Yes: talk to your landlord about grants and simple measures; use portable dehumidifiers and draught-proofing where allowed. Citizens Advice can help with rights.

Next steps