Retrofitting and improving the energy efficiency of your home

03 April 2025

Emma Fletcher MRICS

Low Carbon Homes Director, Octopus Energy

''Delighted to support the RICS producing this consumer guide, to assist everyone who owns or occupies a home. This guide has been prepared by surveying professionals who, whilst having a deep understanding of the technology and data, have managed to translate their learning into simple measures on how to occupy our homes more efficiently, alongside helpful signposting to where guidance and funding may be available. The need for retrofit or upgrading homes is evolving quickly and this guide is one to bookmark as this sector continues to mature''

Professor Richard Fitton

Professor Building Performance, Salford University

RICS would like to thank Professor Richard Fitton of the University of Salford for his contributions to this guide.

What is retrofitting?

There are many benefits to upgrading your home to improve its energy efficiency. These include saving on energy costs, improving well-being and reducing energy consumption to protect the environment.

The process of making these energy efficiency changes is often called ‘retrofitting’. The cost can vary from property to property and depends on the budget available.

England, Wales and Northern Ireland has committed to a target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 (2045 in Scotland) to help prevent potentially irreversible and severe climate change impacts. This means we should all try to reduce the carbon we produce and making energy efficiency improvements to our homes will make a substantial difference.

What are the benefits of improving your home’s energy efficiency?

The benefits of upgrading your home to improve its energy efficiency include, but are not limited to:

Saving money on energy bills (an increasingly important consideration as more of us spend time working from home).
Improved indoor air quality, meaning a healthier home.
Better comfort and control of heating.
Increased attractiveness of and future-proofing your property.
Increased potential for rental.
Future-proofing homes to meet government requirements (minimum energy efficiency standard).
Potential to lower your home’s environmental impact (dependent on the measure undertaken).

What makes an energy-efficient home?

Most energy use in the home relates to how we heat them, but heat can be lost in a number of ways.

Pie chart showing typical energy use in the home. Space heating 62%, water heating 17%, appliances 15%, cooking 3%, lighting 3%.

Source: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. (2023). Energy consumption in the UK 2023

House showing percentage of heat lost. Roofs 14%, walls 49%, windows 18%, door 5%, floors 14%.

Source: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. (2024). Demonstration of Energy Efficiency Potential (DEEP).

What practical steps can be made to make your home more energy efficient?

The heating system

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Energy supplier and utility bills

Start by understanding your meter readings where applicable and use your utility bills as a reference.
Monitor the savings caused by changes you’ve made.
It’s also worthwhile comparing energy suppliers with regard to their costs, their green energy sources and customer care.

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Smart meters

These can help you keep track of the energy you use, enabling you to adapt and reduce your energy use.
They reduce the need for meter readings, making your bills more accurate.
Energy suppliers can often fit these free of charge, where feasible.

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Heating and lighting

Check your light bulbs and lamps and consider replacing them with more energy-efficient types (e.g. LED light bulbs).
Turn heating or air conditioning to a low setting when not required, being careful not to create areas of the homes that are too cold as this can lead to moisture issues.
If you can adjust the temperature of your hot water, set it to 60°C. Where are combination boiler is used, consider using a lower heating flow temperature. This will help save energy.
If you have them fitted, use thermostatic radiator control valves. These can be adjusted to low or frost settings in unoccupied rooms.
Consider the positioning of furniture, so it is not blocking heating appliances.
Consider simple measures, such as the use of curtains of an appropriate thickness and closing them during colder periods.

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Maintenance

Make sure your heating system is maintained regularly. This will ensure the systems are working as efficiently as possible.

Appliances and fixtures

When looking to replace older appliances, like fridges and washing machines, consider modern types that are more energy efficient.
Some appliances still use energy when on standby and can be unplugged when not in use.
Fill the kettle with only the amount of water you need.
Put lids on pots when cooking.
Turn on the dishwasher only when full and use economy mode if possible so dishes are air dried.

Air tightness, shading and ventilation

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Windows and doors

Consider installing double or triple glazing or internal shutters to retain heat.
Solar shading such as shutters and external blinds can help to limit summer overheating.

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Draught stripping

Check your windows and doors don’t have draught strips fitted, you can buy and fit these to prevent draughts, affecting the internal temperature and comfort.
If draught strips are already present, feel around the window for leaks and replace any worn or defective strips.

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Air leakage

Air can leak where two materials meet, for example, skirtings boards or around holes cut for water or sanitary pipes.
Further advice may be required on suitable solutions to prevent the risk of moisture and decay.

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Bathroom and laundry

Air dry clothes outdoors if possible.
Lower the temperature of the washing machine to 30°C.
Use half-load settings on the washing machine where possible or wait until the washing machine is full.
hower instead of taking baths.

Insulation

Heat loss can be decreased by adding more insulation. Check your loft for insulation and, if there are no damp or condensation problems, it might be possible to install more. A typical well-insulated loft should have around 300mm of insulation.
Consideration should be given to ventilation requirements.

These measures are not applicable in every situation but can be ‘easy wins’. If you’re not sure about implementing these measures or want to consider more invasive retrofits, the next step is to call a professional.

Undertaking retrofit works

If you are considering undertaking more significant retrofit works to improve your home, such as significant wall insulation, adding green technology (such as heat pumps, PV cells), etc. it is strongly recommended that you take professional advice from an RICS member, who will be able to provide practical steps that are applicable to your house type.

An RICS member can work with you to meet your budget and energy efficiency needs along with providing practical support. More information on this is covered in RICS’ Residential retrofit standard.

Consideration should be given to factors such as listed buildings (see Historic England’s energy efficiency guidance), the appropriateness of any recommended measures and the consequences of any measures.

While retrofitting properties brings various benefits, poorly installed measures can also create potential for risks. Taking professional advice is highly recommended to ensure a successful outcome.

Professional energy audit/EPC

Having an energy audit/EPC carried out by a professional assessor is an important step in working out the retrofit measures that are best suited to your home.

Energy audits/EPCs can vary in detail, complexity and cost, depending on your requirements. A professional can offer a basic audit based on a walk around your home, or they can offer more detailed energy conservation solutions based on a thorough inspection. Discuss the level of service you require with the professional beforehand.

The types of measures that can be installed depend on the type, size and construction of your home, but could include:

heating or cooling system upgrades
energy and lighting management systems
new lighting installations
new windows and doors
solar hot water heating or photovoltaic (PV) panels
insulation upgrades to walls, floors, ceilings and hot water systems and
water management systems and water recycling.

Rented or shared accommodation

If you live in rented accommodation, you are likely to be restricted on the energy-saving measures you can implement by the terms of your lease. You should still be able to carry out the tips listed, but with your landlord’s permission, you may be able to carry out some of the DIY steps listed above, too.

Current EPC requirements for landlords

Landlords have a legal requirement to make sure that the homes they are renting out are energy efficient. For more information, see Domestic private rented property: minimum energy efficiency standard - landlord guidance.

Since 1 April 2020, landlords cannot let properties covered by the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) Regulations if they have an EPC rating below E, unless they have a valid exemption in place.

If landlords currently have a property with an EPC rating of F or G, they need to improve the property’s rating to E or register an exemption, before a new tenancy is created.

Scottish government is developing a Heat in Buildings Bill. The Bill would introduce a new Heat in Buildings Standard, which would require privately-owned homes across Scotland to meet a minimum standard of energy efficiency before the end of 2033, and before the end of 2028 for homes in the private rented sector.

Schemes, further guidance and government financial incentives

There are several schemes, guides and government financial incentives available in the UK to help households improve their energy efficiency, monitor energy performance and generate renewable energy.