Improving your home
If you want to improve the warmth, comfort and energy performance of your home, there is a wide range of energy saving measures that you could potentially have installed in your home. Please explore the links on this page for more information.
Not sure where to start? Retrofit West can help. This is an advice service for residents in the West of England, including B&NES, who want to make their homes more energy efficient and reduce their energy bills.
Retrofit West is committed to simplifying the retrofitting process for you. Their experts provide clear, concise advice that is easy to understand and implement. Their goal is to help you feel empowered and confident about the choices you make for your home. By giving the free advice line a call, you are taking the first step towards making your home more energy efficient and reducing your carbon footprint.
Call the free Retrofit Advice Line on 0800 038 6733, or email advice@retrofitwest.co.uk to take your first step towards a more sustainable and energy-efficient future.
Click here to apply for a £250 voucher off a home retrofit assessment.
Planning your home improvements
Learn about ways to make your home more energy efficient by using our free tool to help advise you on what could be done.
Installers and more information
Find out where you can go to find approved or certified installers to work on your home.
Case studies
Many people across B&NES have had energy saving measures installed in their homes and are seeing the benefits. We caught up with some of those who were happy to share their experience.
More information on energy-saving improvements
Wall insulation (external, internal and cavity wall)
Depending on wall type, between 35% and 45% of heat can be lost through a home's walls if they are not insulated. Insulating walls keeps the warmth in the house for longer and makes homes more comfortable and cheaper to heat.
Loft & room-in-roof insulation
A quarter of a home’s heat is lost through the roof, which is why loft insulation makes such a difference. Even if you have some insulation in your loft you may need a top-up.
Heating systems
Renewable electricity
Heat pump central heating systems are now one of the most efficient ways to heat your home, saving you both money and energy. Other systems you may want to consider include biomass boilers and electric heating.
You can generate your own electricity or heat from renewable resources like the sun or wind. For example, installing solar panels lets you use free, renewable, low carbon electricity. You can sell surplus electricity to the grid or store it for later use.
Windows and external doors
On average, properties with single glazing lose 10% of their heat through windows and doors. Installing energy efficient glazing will reduce this heat loss, keep the home warmer and reduce heating bills while also reducing noise from outside.
B&NES Retrofit Supplementary Planning Document
B&NES Planning has published this useful guidance on which explains the five most common house types in the area and gives details on 24 energy saving and renewable energy measures including which permissions may be needed for each one. The document also includes diagrams, photographs and sketches.