A Retrofit Journey
What to expect
If you've been told that your home is going to receive retrofit improvements, you might have a lot of questions. There's a lot of misinformation floating around, and you might be concerned. What exactly will happen? How long will it take? What do you need to do? This article aims to cover the main points, so you know exactly what to expect.
What is whole-house retrofit?
Retrofit is the process of improving an existing home to make it more energy efficient, more comfortable to live in, and better for the environment. Unlike a new-build, which is designed with energy efficiency in mind from the start, most homes in England were built at a time when energy was cheap, and the environment wasn't a priority. Retrofit changes that.
A whole-house retrofit looks at a property's complete system and not just one measure in isolation, but a coordinated programme of improvements that work together. The result is a home that loses less heat, uses less energy, and feels noticeably better to live in day to day.
At CCS, we manage whole-house retrofit projects on behalf of social housing providers across England. Every project is different, because every home is different, but the commitment to quality and minimal disruption is the same every time.
What improvements might be included?
The specific measures fitted in your home will depend on your property. Its age, construction, and what it needs. Not every home will receive every improvement listed below, and your housing provider will confirm exactly what work is planned for your property.
Wall Insulation
Cavity, internal, or external, depending on how your walls are built
Windows & Doors
Energy-efficient replacements to cut draughts and heat loss
Loft Insulation
Upgraded to 300–400mm depth to significantly reduce heat loss
Solar PV Panels
Rooftop panels to generate electricity for your home
Air Source Heat Pump
An efficient and easy-to-use heat source that will create a comfortable home
Ventilation Upgrades
Extractor fans and trickle vents to manage moisture and air quality
The benefits
The improvements made during a whole-house retrofit are designed to work together, and residents typically notice the difference quickly. Here's what you can expect:
A warmer home
Better insulation means the heat you generate stays in your home for longer, rather than escaping through walls, the roof, or gaps around doors and windows. Rooms warm up faster and stay comfortable for longer.
Efficiency
When less heat escapes and your heating system runs more efficiently, you are likely to use less energy.
Better air quality and fewer damp problems
Improved ventilation, whether through upgraded extractor fans or trickle vents fitted to windows, helps manage moisture in your home. Coupling one or both of these options with door undercuts creates a whole-house ventilation system that works together to reduce condensation, which in turn reduces the risk of damp and mould.
A quieter home
Insulation and energy-efficient windows don't just keep heat in; they also reduce noise from outside, making your home a quieter place to live.
Generating your own electricity (where solar panels are fitted)
If your home receives solar PV panels, you'll benefit from the electricity they generate. Depending on your housing provider, setting up a Feed-in Tariff, which a CCS Resident Liaison Officer will assist you with, means you can gain value from any surplus electricity your panels produce.
GOOD TO KNOW
There is no cost to you for retrofit improvements. All work is fully funded and carried out by trained, accredited professionals.Â
How long will it take?
The duration of your retrofit will depend on which improvements are being fitted and the size of your home. As a guide, our team aims to complete a whole-house retrofit in around two weeks, though some properties may take less time if fewer measures are involved.
Before any work begins, your team will discuss the expected timescale with you, so you know what to plan for.
-
Pre-work Survey
A retrofit assessment will be carried out to understand your home in its current condition, check its energy efficiency, and recommend improvements.
-
Retrofit Design
A qualified engineer, surveyor, or architect will design the recommended work to ensure it meets building regulations and industry standards.
-
Coordination
A qualified Level 5 Coordinator will assess the survey and design to confirm they are satisfactory, and will oversee the installation process to ensure all measures are installed as designed.
-
Planning and Scheduling
Dates are agreed with you, and you're told exactly what to expect on each day.
-
The Works
Our teams carry out the improvements, working to minimise disruption to your routine.
-
Testing and Handover
Everything is tested, and you’ll be shown how to use any new equipment before the team leaves. The coordinator will then sign off the project as complete, confirming it achieves the outcomes set out in the design.
What to expect during the work
The duration of your retrofit will depend on which improvements are being fitted and the size of your home. As a guide, our team aims to complete a whole-house retrofit in around two weeks, though some properties may take a little longer or occasionally less time if fewer measures are involved.
Before any work begins, your team will discuss the expected timescale with you, so you know what to plan for.
Be advised that not all measures will be offered. This depends on your home and how it integrates into the system.Â
Wall insulation
This can include any of the following.
- Cavity wall insulation involves drilling small holes in your external walls, blowing in insulation material, and filling the holes afterwards, usually completed in a day.
- Internal wall insulation involves attaching fibre insulation boards to the inside of walls, which are then plastered and decorated.
- External wall insulation is applied to the outside of the property, and may require scaffolding. External wall insulation can extend the time for installation beyond the two-week target. It's an excellent option for buildings that require it. An aesthetically pleasing, smooth rendered finish is added to complete.
Windows and doors
A standard window replacement takes around an hour, so you can typically expect three or four windows to be replaced in a single day. External doors usually take two to four hours. Some of the work will happen inside your home, and dust sheets are used to protect your belongings.
Loft insulation
Our team will need access to your loft to upgrade or top up the insulation to a depth of 300–400mm. This usually takes two to three hours, though replacing existing insulation will take longer. Once complete, the loft should not be used for storage, as placing items on top of insulation can reduce its effectiveness.
Ventilation
Extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms are typically replaced or upgraded in one to two hours per fan. If trickle vents are needed, they can be discreetly fitted into your window frames without affecting how the windows operate. Modern ventilation fans are quiet and inexpensive to run. Door undercuts might be required to enable the home to work as a complete system. A gap the width of a triple-A battery at the bottom of the door will allow air to move efficiently around the building and enable the ventilation system to remove damp from the home. This helps to prevent the buildup of dangerous mould in the house.
Solar PV
Solar panel installation begins with scaffolding, which may be in place for up to a week. The panels are secured to your roof using mounting brackets, wired together, and connected to an inverter, which is usually located in the loft. The system is fully tested before completion, and you'll be shown how it works.
Air source heat pump
An air source heat pump installation typically takes up to five days, during which your existing heating system is removed. Temporary heating will be provided during this period if required. The outdoor unit is roughly the size of a large suitcase and operates at a similar noise level to a refrigerator. You might have heard stories of heat pumps not being a good option and being expensive to run. Whole-house retrofit creates a very different situation, though. Because each measure is designed to work together as one system, this increases the potential efficiency of every part.
Careful planning by the team ensures that every measure that is suggested will be right for your house.
How to prepare
It's simpler than you think
You won't need to do very much to get ready for your retrofit. Here's a short checklist of the things that really help:
Clear space near windows and doors — Ideally about a metre of clear space on both sides
Clear your loft — If loft insulation is planned, remove any stored items before the team arrives
Make sure someone is home on the days work is scheduled
Keep pets in a separate room while work is being carried out
For solar PV installations, clear any items near the outside of your home, potted plants, bins, etc. to allow access
Don't worry
If any of the above is difficult for you to carry out, speak to our team and they will arrange assistance for you.
One of the team will get in touch before work begins to go through everything with you personally. If you have any concerns about the timescale, your specific circumstances, or anything else, they're there to help.
YOUR SAFETY ALWAYS COMES FIRST
All CCS contractors and subcontractors carry identification confirming they're visiting on behalf of CCS. If anyone arrives at your door to carry out work and cannot show ID, please do not let them in and contact your CCS immediately.
Questions? We've got answers.
Below are some of the questions we hear most often. If yours isn't covered here, speak to your Resident Liaison Officer or contact CCS directly.
Will my rent go up because of the improvements?
No. Retrofit works are fully funded and have no impact on your rent.
Do I have to contribute anything towards the cost?
No, there is no cost to you.
Can I refuse any of the measures?
Yes, you can. However, the improvements are strongly recommended.
They're designed to make your home more comfortable, more efficient, and healthier to live in.
In a whole-house retrofit design, each measure is planned to integrate and complement the others and work as a full system. Omitting one part will impact the efficiency of others.
Will my utilities be affected during the work?
There may be short periods when services such as electricity or hot water are temporarily unavailable, for example, when a heat pump is being installed. You'll always be told in advance, and where necessary, alternative arrangements will be made.
What happens after the work is complete?
Our operative will walk you through any new systems or equipment that have been installed, and give you care and operating instructions.
Most importantly, we are here to help. We will endeavour to make the whole process as easy as possible and will be there to assist before, during and after the work is complete.Â
CCS Work To Refresh Outdoor Space
Wyndhurst Orchard At Correct Contract Services (CCS), we believe that…
Welcoming Our New Apprentices in Cornwall
Investing in the Future of Our Communities We’re delighted to…
