Retrofit

There are many retrofit measures you can take to prepare your home for a zero-carbon future. These improvements can help reduce your energy bills, improve comfort, and lower your environmental impact.

What is Retrofit?  

Retrofit means making your home Future-Fit. It involves upgrading an existing building to reduce energy consumption, improve heat retention, and adapt to the impacts of climate change. 

Retrofit can include a wide range of improvements, from large-scale upgrades like external wall insulation, solar panels, and heat pumps, to smaller DIY actions such as draughtproofing. It can also involve installing electric vehicle (EV) charging points, green roofs, and other features that enhance a building’s environmental performance. 

Our planning team has produced detailed guidance on retrofitting, covering a wide range of energy efficiency improvements. 

A ‘fabric-first approach’ is often a good starting point for people looking to retrofit their homes. This means starting with improvements to the building’s structure such as insulation for walls, doors, windows, and the roof before installing new technologies. This ensures that any heating or renewable systems you add will work more effectively in a well-insulated home.

Solar Panels 

Solar panels are a great way to save money by reducing your reliance on the grid and using the sun’s energy to power your home. You may also earn money through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), which pays you for excess energy fed back into the grid.  The Energy Saving Trust has produced this handy guide: Solar panels: costs, savings and benefits explained - Energy Saving Trust.

Installing Solar Panels 

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels generate clean electricity to power appliances, heat water, and charge electric vehicles. Before installing, check our solar panel planning guidelines.

Smart Export Guarantee 

SEG is similar to an energy tariff, but pays you for solar power exported to the grid. All large energy suppliers must offer this, and you can compare tariffs online. Find out more about the SEG scheme on the Energy Saving Trust website.

Changing Your Heating System  

Most homes in Islington use gas boilers, which produce high carbon emissions. A heat pump is a low-carbon alternative: 

• Air source heat pumps absorb heat from the air
• Ground source heat pumps use heat from the ground  

Support is available through: 

• Boiler Upgrade Scheme
• Connected for Warmth  

Insulation 

Insulating your home is one of the most effective ways to reduce heating costs and improve efficiency—especially if installing a heat pump. 
One of the most effective ways to reduce your energy use for heating is to insulate your home. If you want to install a heat pump, it’s also important to make sure your home is well insulated, as heat pumps operate most efficiently with well-insulated buildings:

Loft or Roof Insulation 

• Recommended: at least 270mm of insulation
• Savings: up to £180/year for uninsulated lofts; £25/year for top-ups
• Check eligibility for the Great British Insulation Scheme (EPC rating D–G) 

Cavity Wall Insulation 

Most homes built after 1930 have cavity walls, which is a gap between the inside and outside walls. Insulation can be pumped into the cavity, making your home instantly warmer and saving you money on your bills. Contact your energy supplier to see if you qualify for free insulation measures.

Solid Wall Insulation 

If your home was built before 1920, you probably have solid walls – just a double layer of bricks with no cavity. Solid wall insulation can be installed either externally or internally. External wall insulation is usually more effective and is also less disruptive than having it installed internally; however, you are likely to need planning permission.

Underfloor Insulation 

• Ideal for homes with suspended wooden floors
• Insulation can be sprayed underneath using remote-controlled robots 

Where to Get Retrofit Advice and Support 

Government Energy Efficiency Website 

You can get personalised recommendations for home improvements through the Government energy efficiency website. Simply enter some basic details about your property, and the tool will suggest ways to make your home more energy efficient. You can also request a report to keep for future reference.

Ecofurb – End-to-End Retrofit Support 

Ecofurb offers a comprehensive retrofit service for homeowners: 

• Their free online Plan Builder includes data on all properties in Islington and recommends tailored energy-saving measures.
• It provides cost and savings estimates for each improvement. 

Plan Your Energy Efficient Home Retrofit - Ecofurb 

Planning Advice and Permissions 

Before starting retrofit works, it’s important to understand local planning requirements: 

• Visit the Islington Planning and Building Control Guidelines for detailed advice. 
• Check out our Permitted Development Guide, which explains when planning permission is required for retrofit improvements.