A new report from Citizens Advice – Consumer attitudes to retrofit – sheds light on why so many homeowners delay improving their homes, even when they want to.

The findings – based on a national survey of over 10,000 homeowners – highlight the real-world barriers you might face when it comes to improving your home’s energy performance.

Interestingly, the report notes that the word ‘retrofit’ itself can be off-putting. It sounds technical or unfamiliar – but all it really means is making improvements to an existing home so it uses less energy, costs less to run, and feels more comfortable to live in.

What matters most isn’t the jargon – it’s having the kind of support that helps you take the right steps with confidence. That means cutting carbon, avoiding costly mistakes, and feeling the difference in how your home works and feels.

What’s stopping people from getting started?

The research found that 72% of homeowners are interested in making energy-saving or low-carbon improvements in the next five years. You might be one of them. But when life’s busy and other priorities get in the way – a new kitchen, a holiday, or just getting through winter – it’s understandable to put it off.

And when you start looking into it, the barriers quickly stack up:

• Cost – Two-thirds said they were worried about affordability
• Confidence – Over a third weren’t sure the work would actually cut bills
• Trust – 60% were concerned about choosing a reliable contractor

If you’re feeling unsure, unsupported, or just overwhelmed by the options, you’re not alone – and it’s completely understandable to press pause.

This isn’t just about motivation – it’s about action

The Citizens Advice report makes a clear case for change. It calls for:

• A proper package of financial support to help with upfront costs
• Stronger consumer protection and redress if things go wrong
• A national advice service to guide people through the process

Until that becomes a reality, you need somewhere to turn for clear, independent, expert support – and that’s what we’re here to offer.

That’s where we come in

At Cosy Homes Oxfordshire, we help you take confident, well-planned steps to improve your home’s energy performance. Whether it’s insulation, heating, ventilation or glazing, we guide you through the options – and we stay with you through the process.

• We listen to your goals
• We assess what your home needs
• We create a clear plan
• We connect you with trusted local contractors

Our team of expert Retrofit Coordinators offer the kind of personalised support this report says is so urgently needed – helping you avoid wasted spend and get the job done properly.

Motivation isn’t the problem – most homeowners know why they want to act. What’s missing is the confidence to move forward. That’s where trusted support makes all the difference.

Take the next step – with confidence

You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. If you’re thinking about improving your home but something’s holding you back, talk to our team. A free, no-obligation consultation is a good place to start.

We’re based in Oxfordshire. We’re independent. And our in-house experts are here to guide you – from planning to delivery. We only work with vetted local contractors who meet our standards.

Want to see what’s possible? Explore real homeowner stories >

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Note: We’ve summarised the key takeaways and what they mean for homeowners – but if you’d like more background, you can download the full Citizens Advice report, Consumer attitudes to retrofit, from their website.