Retrofitting has been a growing trend and is set to take off in 2023 as homeowners look to make changes that will save them money and also help combat climate change.
Retrofitting is the process whereby a singular, or number of improvements, are carried out on an existing property in order to improve its energy efficiency. Such improvements can have a colossal impact, for example on a property's ability to retain heat, and therefore the dreaded figure shown on your energy bill.
Improving the energy efficiency of your property can also have a positive impact on the value of your property, by increasing its Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating.
For these reasons, Ben Thomas, Deputy CEO at Mortgage Advice Bureau, shares three ideas to spark your retrofitting imaginations. Though it is important to discuss and plan thoroughly the changes you wish to make with a qualified professional.
Wrap your home:
One way you can improve your property’s energy efficiency this year is by installing retrofit wall, floor, and roof insulation. This involves the use of insulating materials to increase the airtightness of space and subsequently slow the transfer of heat.
Helping to keep heat within your home, such work ultimately better protects those snug inside from outside icy breezes and reduces the need for you to turn up the thermostat. There are various available insulation methods to consider and whilst the initial work comes with a price, the overall benefits of improved energy efficiency and reduced heating costs often outweigh the initial financial hit.
We would recommend that you have your property first surveyed by a qualified surveyor, discuss your options, and have any work installed by a licensed professional.
Tackle draught:
We have all heard someone at some point ask for a door to be closed because there’s a draught. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Often draughts come into our house through tiny gaps. As well as being uncomfortable, draughts increase your bills and waste energy.
There are however some cheap and easy steps you can take to better draught-proof your home. Fabric draught excluders, available at many high street home stores for example can help stop cold air from creeping through gaps at the bottom of interior doors. Similarly, you can instal a pivoting cover over door keyholes. These small simple measures to tackle cold draughts can collectively have a significant impact. Also, closing doors on rooms which are not in use could also keep cold air from creeping through.
Swap your appliances:
Finally, an obvious but often overlooked way to retrofit your property is by replacing appliances with energy-efficient alternatives. Even though it’s habitual for many of us to switch off a light after using it, LED lightbulbs can further reduce your home's energy usage and energy efficiency.
While it might not be cost-effective to replace all the technology and appliances in the home, when the time comes to replace things, such as a laundry machine, do your market research first and look for the product with the highest energy efficiency rating, newer appliances will make better use of energy and save you money in the long run.
Smart plugs are also a trendy new gadget that you can use to switch off connected appliances through your phone and a few fingertip taps. Costing as little as £20, this latest technology could work wonders, especially for those of us living busy, on-the-go lives or are purely forgetful.
