Retrofitting
Residential homes accounted for 20% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2022. Improving the energy efficiency of our homes – known as retrofitting – creates many benefits.
Retrofitting can reduce your energy usage which will lower your home’s carbon footprint while also saving you money on household bills. Retrofitting can also make homes warmer in the winter and more comfortable during our increasingly hot summers. You can read more detailed information about retrofitting in our document Retrofit – an introduction.
If you’re looking at installing renewables on your property have a look at our Planning Guide to installing renewable energy on domestic premises.
To see the full list of climate planning guidance visit our Planning page.
Listed Buildings
Listed buildings require additional measures when looking at retrofitting and energy efficiency. You can find more information and advice on Historic England’s website.
Organisations offering support
The Centre for Sustainable Energy CSE
The Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) is a national charity based in Bristol that supports people and organisations across the UK to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings and tackle the climate emergency. The CSE helps to provide some of the grants available to Somerset homeowners on behalf of Somerset Council.
To find out if you are eligible for any grant funding or for advice on saving energy, you can phone the CSE on 0117 934 1400 or visit the Centre for Sustainable Energy website.
Somerset Energy Saver
The Somerset Energy Saver website, launched in September 2022, supports Somerset residents to reduce their energy bills and find out about financial assistance. To read more information, see our Somerset Energy Saver Website.
The UK Government has also published similar information. You can read their energy saver page on GOV.UK.
Grants
Warm Homes: Local Grant
A UK government-funded fuel poverty scheme that aims to improve energy efficiency of homes and increase low carbon heating installations for low-income households.
You can read more information on our Retrofit and Energy Efficiency page. And you can check your eligibility on the GOV.UK website.
The Warm Homes: Local Grant has replaced the Energy Company Obligation Scheme (ECO) which is closed to new applicants and is currently running the final programme (ECO), which will end in December 2026. You can read more information about ECO4 on our page Energy efficiency at home.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
Funding to replace fossil fuel boilers with a heat pump or biomass boiler. Retrofit Somerset launched a pilot project with Thermly to help householders in Somerset identify if their home is suitable for a heat pump, link with a local certified installer and take up the Government’s grant towards installing an energy efficient heat pump. You can check your eligibility on the GOV.UK website.
Safe, Warm and Secure
A Somerset Council grant for those on low income to improve their home in several ways such as access, energy efficiency and security. You can check your eligibility and read more information on our page Safe, Warm and Secure Grant.
Lendology
In addition to grants, Somerset Council also works in partnership with a not-for profit company, Lendology, which provides low-cost loans to improve your home if you are not eligible for grant funding. You can read more information on Lendology’s Somerset Council webpage.
Resources and toolkits
Net Zero Carbon Toolkit
This toolkit was originally developed by Cotswold District Council and the Centre for Sustainable Energy and adopted by Somerset. The toolkit provides practical guidance for delivering net-zero carbon, low-energy housing projects. Covering all stages from pre-planning through to construction, the toolkit is designed for small or medium-sized house builders, architects, self-builders and consultants.
For homeowners planning to retrofit or extend their property, the toolkit offers practical guidance on improving energy efficiency and taking a phased, affordable approach to home decarbonisation. By implementing these measures, homeowners can reduce carbon emissions, lower energy bills, help tackle fuel poverty and create healthier, more comfortable homes.
You can read more information on Cotswold District Council’s webpage Achieving net zero carbon homes.
Thermal Imaging Camera Loan Scheme
Thermal imaging cameras can be used to identify potential improvements and map heat loss on properties. The cameras link directly to apple or android smartphones. Once areas of heat loss are identified, the following simple tips can be used to reduce this:
- Use heat-reflective aluminium foil behind the radiator to reduce heat loss.
- Use thick curtains, with a thermal lining, to reduce heat loss through the windows.
- Stop heat being lost up the chimney when not in use by using a chimney balloon or woollen chimney insulator, but remember to remove them before starting any fires.
- Watch out for mini-draughts, such as letterboxes or cat flaps – add an extra barrier in the form of a ‘brush’.
- Use draught excluders along the base of doors.
- Cover bare floors, which account for as much as 10% of heat loss if they’re not insulated.
- Insulate your house with DIY loft insulation and ensure the loft hatch is also insulated.
Somerset Library members can request to borrow thermal imaging cameras for free, for a period of 3 days from their local library. For more details, please contact your local library or email librariesmail@somerset.gov.uk.
Community Adaptation Toolkit
The former Sedgemoor District Council produced a community adaptation toolkit to help village halls prepare for the effects of climate change.
You can read about the Community Adaptation Toolkit.
Community Energy
Community Energy is the delivery of community-led renewable energy, energy demand deduction and energy supply projects either wholly owned or controlled by communities. You can find out more about community energy on the Community Energy England website. And to see who is in your local area, you can use this Google map.
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards
Since 1 April 2020, landlords can no longer let properties covered by Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards regulation if the Energy Performance Certificate of the property is rated below E, unless they have a valid exemption in place. As a landlord, you may be eligible for grant funding to improve your properties. You can find more information and contact options on the Centre for Sustainable Energy website.
And you can read more information on GOV.UK about government guidance for landlords and minimum energy efficiency standards.
Solar Panels
There are several installers across Somerset that can install panels. Read the Somerset Green Directory to find one near you.
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme website has a list of accredited businesses for products and installers across the green technology industry.
Distribution network operators
Distribution Network Operators are the companies that own and are responsible for the power lines and infrastructure that connects the electricity network to your property. They are also responsible for any grid upgrades and maintenance.
In Somerset, we have two Distribution Network Operators:
- National Grid, which covers the majority of the county
- Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, which covers some of the eastern parts of Somerset
To find out who your network operator is, you can visit the Energy Networks website.
Somerset Retrofit Accelerator Project
In 2022 a partnership between the five Somerset councils, Bruton, Glastonbury and Frome Town Councils, The Green Register and The Centre for Sustainable Energy delivered the Somerset Retrofit Accelerator Project.
The aim of the project was to boost both the demand and supply for energy efficiency measures across Somerset. This was split into four objectives:
- 50 discounted Retrofit Assessments for Somerset households in partnership with Futureproof and delivered by The Centre for Sustainable Energy. All discounted plans have now been delivered, but you can still book an appointment through the Futureproof website.
- 30 free places on the Futureproof Essentials course for local construction professionals. All places have been filled, but if you are still interested the courses are available to be purchased and are available through The Green Register e-learning platform. The course consists of 10 one-hour video training sessions led by trainers from The Green Register’s expert team.
- Creating a series of virtual online tours displaying low-carbon homes and what previous homeowners have done when retrofitting their properties. The series shares knowledge and experiences from those who have carried out work to their homes. You can find out more information on the website Somerset Green Open Homes Webinar 4 – Frome Town Council
- The creation of an online Green Directory for Somerset with an extensive list of businesses involved in the retrofit journey in your area. The directory is now live. Visit Somerset’s Retrofit Green Directory to find a business local to you.
For more information read the document Somerset Retrofit Accelerator Project evaluation.
Decarbonising the Council
Battery Energy Storage
The former South Somerset District Council developed and invested in an innovative 30MW Battery Energy Storage Site (BESS) near Taunton. This project was in partnership with a range of national and international businesses. The BESS stores renewable energy when the power supply exceeds the capacity of the National Grid. And then feeds the electricity back into the grid when power demand begins to increase.
The joint venture South Somerset District Council Opium Power Ltd is now building a 40MW BESS near Fareham, Hampshire. You can read more information on Opium Power’s website.
Somerset County Hall
The council successfully bid for a £4.1 million grant from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, provided by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. The works at B Block, County Hall involve replacing all the windows, roof and wall insulation, putting in energy-efficient heating and air circulation systems and increasing the number of solar panels.
These works will make the building more energy efficient and contribute towards many of the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme measures.
Yeovil Library Example
You can read about retrofitting work at Yeovil Library in our document.