Stay cosy with retrofit news

Get to know your home – properly. Yes, you live in it. You look after it. Over time, you’ve probably painted walls, replaced boilers, added shelves, stopped draughts. Maybe even knocked through a wall or planned a loft conversion. But how well do you

District heating and heat pumps are two key low-carbon heating options – but what’s the difference, and what’s right for your home? Explore the pros, cons, and why starting with a Whole House Plan is

As the saying goes: failing to plan is planning to fail. Without a clear strategy and solid data, it’s easy to waste time and money on the wrong retrofit solutions – or worse, create new problems like poor ventilation or

Make your home warmer and cheaper to run with the right plan Upgrading your home can feel overwhelming – where do you start? What changes will actually make a difference? And how do you avoid costly mistakes? Most homes could be warmer, cheaper to run,

Looking for a low-carbon, energy-efficient way to heat your home? A heat pump could be the answer! But with different types available, how do you know which one is best for your home? Let’s break down the main types of heat pumps, how they work, and what

We’re offering 36 match-funded energy efficiency assessments (Whole House Plans) to residents in the eight CAPZero parishes, covering up to 80% of the cost depending on your home

In the UK, EPCs are a legal must-have for anyone buying, selling, or renting a property. This government-backed system helps property owners understand how much energy their building consumes and where there’s room for improvement. Alongside the A to G

Wondering where your home’s energy goes? Discover how to reduce energy use, save money, and improve comfort with simple tips for heating, hot water, lighting, and appliances. Small changes can make a big difference – start your energy-saving journey

When change shows up on the doorstep, and we’re quick to yell, “Not today, thanks!” Whether it’s a new gadget, a wild invention, or a better way of doing things, history has proven we like our comfort zones. But here’s the twist: the things we

As the UK moves towards ambitious energy efficiency targets, landlords have a unique opportunity to upgrade their properties. By partnering with Cosy Homes Oxfordshire, you can achieve EPC compliance, improve tenant satisfaction, and future-proof your

We were thrilled by the level of interest in retrofitting and upcoming funding opportunities – our leaflets disappeared quicker than we could have imagined! It’s clear that landlords are keen to tackle rising energy standards while making smart

Homeowners across the UK are set to benefit from a significant £3.2 billion investment announced as part of the government’s Warm Homes Plan. This funding will support upgrades to 300,000 homes, making them more energy-efficient and better prepared for a

Ever feel like no matter how much you crank up the heating, your home just doesn’t stay warm? If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Research shows that one in five households in the UK is living in a poorly insulated home – letting heat (and

The challenges surrounding spray foam insulation have become a – well, sticky subject – for homeowners, especially those trying to sell or remortgage their properties. Mortgage lenders are increasingly refusing loans for homes with spray foam, making it

Making your home eco-friendly isn’t just about saving money on energy bills – it’s about creating a space that’s healthier, more comfortable, and kinder to the

Calling all landlords and letting agents – come and join us at the Oxford City Council Landlord & Agent Forum! We’ll be there on 6th November 2024 at the free, in-person session from 10am to 12:45pm, and we’d love to meet you! It’s the perfect

Ah, autumn! That time of year when the leaves change colour, the days get shorter, and the air gets that familiar crisp bite. It’s also the season of a classic dilemma: when exactly should you turn the heating on? As soon as the temperature starts to dip,

Don’t wait for the middle of winter to find out your boiler’s on the brink. A simple check-up now could save you from a freezing cold home and a lot of stress later. Before the frost really kicks in, make sure your heating system keeps running when you

With over 190 million installations around the world, the benefits are clear. Heat pumps use up to three times less energy than traditional gas boilers, meaning they lower your bills and reduce carbon emissions. They also can double up as air conditioners in

Refurbishment can refresh your home’s look, but retrofitting goes further by adding long-term benefits like energy efficiency and sustainability. We’re here to help you understand the difference so you can make the best decision for your home.

In a recent article, Paul Brown shares his journey of transforming his 1930s bungalow into a model of green living. Describing himself as a “solar nerd,” his enthusiasm for solar panels and eco-friendly upgrades is contagious, and his story

with so many insulation materials out there, how do you choose the right one for your home? Let's take a quick look at the various types of insulation materials, explore their pros and cons, and help you make an informed

Energy jargon can be as baffling as a different language, especially when buying electric products or hiring tradespeople. To ease the confusion, we've compiled a few terms to simplify the language of electricity, from voltage, power, and other energy

RetrofitWorks celebrated a significant milestone at their 10th-anniversary event held at Lord's Cricket Ground. The gathering was a resounding success, uniting industry leaders, suppliers, and enthusiastic advocates.

Discover ways to finance your home retrofit, including through the Energy Company Obligation scheme. Recognising that upfront expenses to improving the energy efficiency of your home might be challenging, did you know that you could potentially access free,

An insightful article by Martina Lees in The Times explores an innovative retrofit project undertaken by the Duke of Westminster. The project involved modernising a typical Victorian semi-detached house on his Cheshire estate. This serves as a prototype with

We work in collaboration with all local government authorities as well as community projects in Oxfordshire. Here, you’ll find some of the bodies we work hand in hand with to help achieve energy efficiency and sustainability across the region. Stay

Closer to home, the popular TV series Grand Designs offers amazing showcases of retrofit homes that brilliantly combine energy efficiency with style. The show explores innovative retrofitting solutions, demonstrating that eco-friendly design can be both

Did you know that approximately 33% of carbon emissions in Oxfordshire stem from buildings (with a staggering 46% of emissions coming from street lighting)?  Or that a report from Oxford revealed that a jaw-dropping 81% of the total carbon emissions

Are you worried about the cost of energy bills this winter? Or do you know anybody looking for ways to make their home cheaper to heat and more comfortable to live in?

With the pressing challenge of climate change, households in the UK are a big emitter of greenhouse gases, accounting for 26% of total emissions. To address this issue and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, nearly all housing requires some form of

The race to retrofit our homes offers a future of possibility and sustainability. It embodies our commitment to a greener, cleaner world.

True to form, while the rest of the world is experiencing searing heatwaves, this British summer carries on with cool and damp weather. Which makes this perhaps an ideal time to start thinking ahead to the coming winter, and planning a whole house retrofit.

We’re proud to share that Cosy Homes Oxfordshire has featured in The Sunday Times article titled "The Ultimate Guide To Insulation." This highlighted our commitment to making homes in Oxfordshire more energy-efficient, comfortable, and affordable to

New research reveals retrofit could boost the sale value of your home by an average of £10,000, and the added value could be even higher for individual properties - depending on the measures and

New research reveals retrofit could boost the sale value of your home by an average of £10,000, and the added value could be even higher for individual properties - depending on the measures and

New research reveals retrofit could boost the sale value of your home by an average of £10,000, and the added value could be even higher for individual properties - depending on the measures and

With energy bills rising, we’re going to look at whether getting a solar PV array could save you money, or even make you money, while also generating clean and green electricity for your

If you’re like many UK homeowners, you might be exploring the idea of installing a heat pump to heat your home more efficiently. But is there space for one in your home? The good news is that there’s likely a heat pump that can work for your space,

Cosy Homes Oxfordshire is delighted to be sponsoring the Clean and Green Award for building traders in Oxfordshire as part of JACK FM’s Brick Awards. Nominees can join us for a glitzy ceremony at the Bodleian Library on 7 October 2022. We’ll be

If you’re thinking about installing a heat pump, one of the most common questions is: how much noise will it make?It’s a fair concern – especially if you’re investing in long-term comfort and want to make sure your home stays peaceful, indoors and

f you’re looking to make your home more energy-efficient and future-proof, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is here to help. This UK government initiative supports homeowners in England and Wales to switch to low-carbon heating systems, like heat pumps or

As the installation of heat pumps increases in the UK, we are often asked what it’s really like living with a heat pump, as opposed to a gas boiler, or other forms of

[This page is now archived. For more up-to-date posts, see: Which heat pump is right for your home?] From the start of the new year, there will only be three months remaining to apply for the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), soon to be replaced by the Boiler

The dust has settled post-COP26 and the response has been mixed, although there have been some positive announcements – caveats included. Broadly, most recognise much more needs to be done, acknowledging that the scale of commitments will not go

The long-awaited Heat and Buildings Strategy was just published to a good deal of media coverage, mainly focusing on the boiler replacement grants of £5,000 coming into play next year.  This is welcome news as it will undoubtedly remove a barrier for

“Cosy Homes Oxfordshire allowed me to receive a £5,000 VAT refund from my home retrofit work that I hadn’t expected to ever see again – thank you so much!” said Trish Lunel, one of our early clients. Rules on value-added tax (VAT) – the

Anne and Richard are active members of Abingdon Carbon Cutters, a low carbon community group with a strong interest in retrofitting, which became a Community Advocate Group for Cosy Homes Oxfordshire in 2020. The couple decided to use the services of Cosy

SuperHomes is a network of homeowners who have refurbished their homes (usually old, hard to treat homes) to the highest standard of energy efficiency – meaning that little energy is being wasted in the home, and there is no reliance on fossil fuels for

Our homes have a huge role to play in the climate emergency. To address the climate crisis and meet our carbon reduction targets in the UK, we need to retrofit millions of homes, reducing the amount of wasted energy which is causing excess carbon emissions.

When we talk about home retrofit and our Cosy Homes Oxfordshire service, we often use the term ‘energy efficiency’. But what is energy efficiency, why is it important, and how does it relate to our homes? That’s what we’ll cover in this post. Defining

Our whole house retrofit service has been operational for two years now. These two years (2019-21) have been our ‘pilot phase’, during which we’ve received grant-funding from the UK Department of Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy

The pilot phase of Cosy Homes Oxfordshire (2019-21) is just the beginning of our journey to create a robust business model for delivering home retrofit that works for both homeowners and contractors - but we’re proud of how far we’ve come and what we’ve

Cosy Homes Oxfordshire client, Andy Pedley, shares his experience so far working with us to make improvements to his home in Kidlington. We are all very aware, from huge publicity, that there is a climate emergency – carbon dioxide levels are increasing

Home retrofit and energy efficiency improvements can transform your cold, draughty house into an energy efficient, Cosy Home - here's

When it comes to home retrofit, there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution. The age, style, past improvements, and upkeep of a house all play a role in shaping the approach. Cosy Homes Oxfordshire’s Whole House Plan helps homeowners identify and tackle

In March 2021 we’re hosting a Low Carbon Homes online event for Oxfordshire, focused on the key barrier for increasing the uptake of home retrofit – the supply chain. The event will run over three mornings, and sessions will include both speaker

Home retrofit and energy efficiency improvements can transform your cold, draughty house into an energy efficient, Cosy Home - here's

Heating water accounts for a significant portion of household energy consumption. Integrating solar thermal systems into your home can provide an efficient and sustainable solution, reducing both energy bills and carbon

In this series of retrofit measures blogs, we’ll be explaining different retrofit measures which can improve the energy efficiency of homes – reducing energy usage to cut energy bills and carbon emissions, and improve the comfort of your home.

The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a UK government incentive scheme which offers homeowners payment for installing systems which generate renewable energy to heat the home – including heat pumps and biomass boilers. The Domestic Renewable Heat

When improving energy efficiency, many homeowners focus on keeping heat in to reduce wasted energy. However, proper ventilation is equally important. Without controlled ventilation, poor air circulation can lead to problems such as condensation, damp, and

Lighting accounts for approximately 15% of a typical UK home's electricity bill. Switching to energy-efficient lighting, such as Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), can significantly reduce this consumption, leading to lower energy bills and a reduced carbon

Solar panels are one of the most visible ways to make your home more sustainable – but they also deliver powerful results behind the scenes. By converting sunlight into electricity, solar photovoltaic (PV) panels can help reduce your energy bills, cut

In this series of retrofit measures blogs, we’ll be explaining different retrofit measures which can improve the energy efficiency of homes – reducing energy usage to cut energy bills and carbon emissions, and improve the comfort of your home.

Energy savings aside, new glazing can make your home feel instantly more comfortable. No more cold draughts, no more condensation streaming down the inside of your windows, and a noticeable reduction in outside noise. If you live near a busy road or under a

Draught-proofing is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency, reducing heat loss and cutting energy bills. By sealing gaps and preventing unwanted airflow, you can create a more comfortable and

Floors – particularly those on the ground level – are a major source of heat loss in many homes. Without insulation, warmth escapes, cold air seeps in, and your heating system works harder than it needs to. Proper floor insulation helps keep heat indoors,

Up to a quarter of your home’s heat can be lost through an uninsulated roof. Adding insulation to your loft or roof is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve comfort, cut heating bills, and reduce your carbon

Solid wall insulation is a key upgrade for many older properties – helping to cut energy bills, reduce heat loss, and make homes more comfortable to live in all year

Cavity wall insulation is a highly effective way to enhance your home's energy efficiency, leading to reduced energy bills and a more comfortable living environment. By filling the gap between your property's inner and outer walls with insulating material,

The demand for home retrofit is exploding, creating huge opportunities for building professionals who are ready to adapt. With 29 million UK homes needing energy efficiency upgrades to meet climate targets, the question isn’t if retrofit will be part of the

Keeping your home warm while lowering energy bills and reducing carbon emissions is a priority for many homeowners. Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) offer an efficient, low-carbon way to heat your home and provide hot water, making them an increasingly popular

At Cosy Homes Oxfordshire, we help homeowners make their homes more comfortable, energy-efficient, and low-carbon. But we can’t do it alone – we need skilled building professionals, Retrofit Coordinators, and contractors to deliver high-quality retrofit

Taking a whole house approach is one of the most effective ways to reduce the carbon footprint of your property while ensuring long-term energy efficiency and comfort. Instead of focusing on individual fixes, this strategy looks at your home as a complete

Looking for a sustainable way to heat your home? A Ground Source Heat Pump might be the solution! They harness natural heat from the ground to keep your home warm and provide hot water, all while reducing carbon

This home transformation took place in an end-of-terrace cottage in the picturesque village of Hook Norton, located in the Cotswolds.

We can all do our bit to mitigate the effects of climate change by ensuring that our homes are as energy efficient as possible and so reduce carbon emissions.  We know that the UK housing stock is fairly old and inefficient, accounting for an estimated

A new home is a clean slate. Whether it’s knocking down walls, ripping out kitchens, or planning an extension, it’s an opportunity to make this new house feel like your home. And whilst you’re already planning home renovations, it makes sense to get

Once you’ve used our free Plan Builder advice service to get a snapshot of your home’s energy-saving potential, the next exciting step is an on-site energy assessment. This is where we take a closer look at your home’s energy performance – giving you

Get expert guidance on retrofitting your home to ensure the work is done in the right order with minimal

Spending their days conducting home assessments, consultations, energy audits, and site visits, Retrofit Coordinators play a hands-on role in reducing your home’s energy use. They ensure your home is energy-efficient, safe, and comfortable, guiding you

Owning a period property is a joy, but making it more energy efficient can feel like a challenge. Many homes in the UK, especially those built before 1946, aren’t built with modern energy-saving measures in mind. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make