In Discussion: Retrofit West
Driving Sustainability: Retrofit West CIC is a new community interest company formed by the Centre for Sustainable Energy to accelerate home and building retrofit activity.
We caught up with Laura Barber at Retrofit West to discuss the services and resources on offer in the South West.
Could you provide an overview of Retrofit West's mission and how the organisation will support sustainable retrofit projects in the South West?
At Retrofit West, our mission is to support householders across the West of England to accelerate the transition to low-carbon housing through domestic retrofit.
Supported by the West of England Combined Authority, Retrofit West is aimed at addressing the challenges of rising energy prices and reducing carbon emissions to reach the West of England’s net zero target by 2030.
Our goal is to become the ultimate source of guidance for domestic retrofitting across the nation. We're dedicated to assembling a team of leading industry experts who will provide continuous support and strategic guidance. Together, we aim to empower homeowners with the knowledge and tools to transform their house into an energy-efficient, comfortable, and sustainable home.
What services and support can Retrofit West provide?
We currently offer concise and independent advice and support for domestic retrofit projects in the West of England. We have also recently launched our Homeowner Assessment Accelerator which gives homeowners up to £250 off energy efficiency assessments. Link below.
https://www.retrofitwestadvice.co.uk/homeowner-assessment-accelerator
We are developing our service offering to include community group retrofit funding, plan and survey quality assurance, retrofit design and installer referral for homeowners.
We also recognise the importance of local installers in the success of retrofit projects. That's why we are actively building an extensive supply chain network comprising professionals interested in or already engaged in retrofit to foster growth in the local market. In addition to financial support, we hope to offer guidance on training, and accreditations, and attaining the required quality standards.
Why is now the right time for Retrofit West to form?
Domestic retrofit plays a hugely significant role in the decarbonisation of the UK. The direct benefits of retrofit for householders are abundant. Improvement measures can significantly reduce energy consumption and costs, create a healthier and more comfortable environment to live in, help shield from the impact of energy security and rising bills, and most crucially help combat the effects of climate change in a localised and impactful way. In addition, retrofit has the potential to create thousands of jobs and boost the economy by creating new markets and opportunities for businesses.
Further to this, 40% of our national carbon emissions comes from our buildings, demonstrating the importance in decarbonising our heating systems by switching to renewable sources (source). There has never been a more important time to consider the future of our homes and Retrofit West are dedicated to help making that happen.
How can local businesses, construction professionals, and homeowners access Retrofit West's resources and expertise to make informed decisions about their retrofit projects?
Our free retrofit advice line and plan builder tool will help you plan where to start, what to prioritise, how to find contractors and offer support with project management for retrofit installations. Link below.
https://retrofit-west-advice.planbuilder.co.uk/login-user
You can also call or email our free Retrofit Advice Line to discuss your specific needs and budget. We can recommend measures that suit you and your home and help with next steps.
T: 0800 038 6733