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How to retrofit

There are lots of energy efficient technologies available to help you retrofit your home. What’s important to know though is the correct way to use these measures, as well as the correct order to install them to ensure your home is as energy efficient as possible.

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Contractor setting up an air source heat pump

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A fabric first approach

For your home to be retrofitted to a high standard that prevents future problems, such as mould and excess energy costs, we recommend following a flow of priorities when it comes to upgrading your home’s energy efficiency. 

We call this the ‘fabric first’ approach, which means improving your home’s structural elements – walls, floors, roof, windows, and doors – before adding any energy efficient measures so that it’s properly insulated and can retain heat effectively.  

An installer in a high vis orange jacket and white hard hat on a scaffold. They are adding external wall insulation to a house.

Step 1: Insulation

The first thing to do before installing a low carbon heating system or generating your own renewable energy is to ensure your property has proper insulation. To be able to make the home warmer and be able to hold a warmer temperature for longer, it needs to be properly insulated. 

More about insulation
Extractor Fan

Step 2: Ventilation

By adding a warm layer of insulation to your home, moisture will build in the property. It is now essential you look to install effective ventilation to allow your home to breath.

More about ventilation
An air source heat pump surrounded by foliage

Step 3: Electrification

Once your home is properly insulated and has appropriate ventilation, the next step is to electrify the heating system with the likes of an air source heat pump. This is known as decarbonising the heating.

More about electrifying your heating
A man wearing a high vis vest on the roof of a house installing solar panels.

Step 4: Generation

Now your home is warm, ventilated and running an efficient heating system, the last step is looking at generating your own renewable energy with the likes of solar panels. 

More about generating your own energy

Energy efficient measures

By retrofitting your home, you’ll make it warmer and more affordable to heat. You’ll also be helping the planet.

Wall insulation

Internal, external and cavity wall insulation are all potential options, but which method you choose depends on your home’s wall type.

Wall insulation

Roof and loft insulation

Uninsulated homes lose a quarter of their heat through the roof. With loft insulation, you can keep your home warm and reduce your energy bills.

Roof and loft insulation

Floor insulation

If your home has a ground floor, or if you live above an unheated space, underfloor insulation will help reduce heat loss.

Floor insulation

Windows and doors

Around 10% of the heat in our homes is lost through poorly insulated windows.

Windows and doors

Ventilation

To keep our homes fresh and healthy we need to make sure air can move in and out of the building. This is where ventilation comes in.

Ventilation

Air source heat pump

An air source heat pump is a renewable type of central heating system. It does the same job as a boiler but uses the outside air instead of oil or gas.

Air source heat pump

Ground source heat pump

A ground source heat pump is a low carbon option for central heating. It takes natural heat from the ground outside and transfers this heat into your home.

Ground source heat pump

Solar panels

Officially known as solar photovoltaic (or solar PV), solar panels catch the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity that we can use in our homes.

Solar panels

Battery storage

Battery storage for renewable energy lets you save the electricity generated by your solar panels or wind turbine for when you need it.

 

Battery storage

Biomass

A biomass heating system uses a fuel source that comes from plants or animals.

Biomass

Storage heaters

Around 11% of people in Scotland use electricity to heat their homes. Of these households, most have electric storage heaters.

Storage heaters

Solar thermal

A solar thermal system uses the sun’s energy to provide hot water for your home. It can cover about half the hot water needs of a typical household.

 

Solar thermal

Wind turbine

A renewable energy wind turbine uses wind power to generate electricity.

Wind turbine

Hydroelectric energy

The power of flowing water can generate electrical energy. If you live near a river or stream, hydropower may be able to cover your home’s electricity needs. 

Hydroelectric energy

Why make your home more energy efficient?

Graphic depicting a warm and cosy home

Create a warm, cosy home

Making your home more energy-efficient can make your home warmer and drier.

Lower energy bills

A better insulated home can help lower energy bills, as your home will be heated more effectively.

A graphic of the Earth. Two continents can be seen.

Tackle the climate emergency

13% of Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions come from the home. If your home is better insulated, it’ll leak less carbon, which will help tackle the climate emergency.

Get a retrofit

If you’re thinking of retrofitting your home to make it more energy efficient, Changeworks has a number of funded and self-funded options available.

EcoCosi home retrofit service

EcoCosi from Changeworks is a home improvement service for homeowners. We deliver home comfort with energy efficient retrofit.  

EcoCosi from Changeworks

Home Energy Scotland Grant

The Home Energy Scotland Grant gives you funding towards a variety of energy efficiency improvements. As it’s a grant, you don’t have to pay anything back.

Find out more

Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Schemes

Changeworks delivers Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Schemes to householders across Scotland to help reduce bills and save energy. 

Find out if you’re eligible

Register your interest in our retrofit service

Register your interest in EcoCosi from Changeworks to find out more about how to retrofit your home and to be sent information about the service.

Consent

Useful pages

Saving energy in the home

Saving energy in the home is good for our pocket and the planet. There are lots of little changes we can make – many costing us nothing at all – that can add up to big savings.

Energy bills and your supplier

From getting to know all the charges that appear on your energy bill to the best ways to find out about your rights, our advice and support can help you take control.

Financial support

Financial support is out there, whether you’re struggling with your energy bills or looking into funding for renewable heating systems. Our guides cover what financial support is available, and how to apply.   

Managing your heating

The more familiar you are with your heating systems, the better. Use our guides to take control of the heat in your home and use it more efficiently.

Heat your home efficiently

If you’re making decisions about the future of heating your home, then we can help. Discover advice on renewable options and available funding.

Insulation

From the roof over your head to the floor beneath your feet, there are a range of insulation options that can work for different types of homes.