Skipton Building Society & The Big Retrofit

Pioneering the Future of Domestic Retrofit 

As the financial sector intensifies its efforts to drive the transition toward net-zero carbon emissions, Retrogreen partnered with Skipton Building Society to launch a pioneering retrofit project under the Big Retrofit initiative. This partnership underscores the shared commitment of both organisations to tackling the challenges homeowners face in creating energy-efficient lower carbon homes.

The Big Retrofit Project: A Step Toward Retrofitted Homes

With domestic emissions accounting for 17% of the nation’s carbon footprint, retrofitting homes has become a critical solution for reducing energy consumption, lowering utility bills, and improving living standards. 

Retrogreen, a leader in sustainable retrofit solutions, joined forces with the Society and others to help deliver this vision. Together we piloted a replicable model for retrofitting that can be scaled nationwide, delivering energy savings, and a lower carbon footprint at a community level. 

Retrogreen’s Role in the Project

Retrogreen brings deep knowledge and expertise in domestic retrofitting to the partnership. The company is responsible for overseeing the design and implementation of energy efficiency measures in domestic properties, leveraging its innovative technology and data-driven approach to achieve optimal results. Key elements of Retrogreen’s involvement in the Big Retrofit include: 

• Providing a custom retrofit plan: Developing tailored plans for the homeowner, focusing on measures such as insulation, air-source heat pump, solar panels, and efficient glazing. 
• Property Assessment: Conducting thorough in-person property evaluations to identify the most effective retrofit solutions for the property.
• Installation and Quality Assurance: Providing consultation services to help ensure adherence to best practices, compliance with regulations, and fulfilment of all contractual obligations. 
• Customer Engagement: Collaborating closely with the homeowner to provide education on retrofit benefits and ensure satisfaction throughout the process. 

Impact of the Collaboration

The Retrogreen-Skipton partnership is already demonstrating significant results, showcasing the potential of targeted retrofit initiatives. By focusing on a representative property with considerable energy efficiency improvement potential, the project is delivering measurable benefits for both homeowner and the environment.

• Lower Energy Bills: Enhanced insulation and improved airtightness have resulted in substantial reductions in energy consumption, leading to significant cost savings and greater home comfort for the occupants. 
• Healthier Homes: The installation of a low-carbon energy system, including a heat pump, solar PV, and battery storage, has created a more comfortable living environment while enhancing air quality. 
• Reduced Carbon Emissions: The retrofitted home has significantly decreased energy usage and carbon emissions, directly supporting the UK’s net-zero targets by lowering carbon emissions.
• Job Creation: The project is bolstering local economies by generating demand for skilled retrofit professionals, including energy assessors, installers, and project managers, while fostering workforce growth in the green energy sector. 

A Model for Nationwide Success

Beyond the immediate benefits, the Big Retrofit Project has the potential to demonstrate collaborative approaches can overcome common barriers to retrofitting, such as lack of homeowner awareness, where to go for advice and supply chain limitation.

The project’s success also underscores the importance of making it easier for homeowners to fund improvements and reap the long-term savings of energy-efficient upgrades. 

Why Retrofitting Matters

Retrofitting offers significant benefits – not just for homeowners, but for the environment as well. Investing in retrofitting is a win-win solution, especially with energy prices remaining high and the push for carbon reduction stronger than ever. 

Benefits of Retrofitting:

• Lower Energy Bills: Save money by improving your home’s energy efficiency.
• Access to Green Financing: Qualify for green mortgages or additional lending tailored to energy-efficient homes.
• Boost Property Value: Energy-efficient homes are more attractive to buyers, potentially increasing long-term property value.
• Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: Play your part in tackling climate change by reducing emissions.
• Enhanced Comfort: Improved insulation could keep your home warm in winter and cool during summer, while better air quality creates a healthier living environment.

Follow Skipton’s journey on Instagram @retrofittingregentroad or discover more about their Big Retrofit Project here.