Warm Homes Local Grant launching
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 smartGovernment unveils Warm Homes Plan
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 aTired of feeling the cold at home? You’re not alone.
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 (andThink before you get spray insulation
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 itTop green tips for eco-friendly home improvements
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 environment. Whether you want to reduce your energy use, lower your carbon footprint, orCalling all Oxfordshire landlords and letting agents
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 perfectWhen should I put my heating on?
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,Is your boiler battling burnout?
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 youWe don’t sell heat pumps… but these proud homeowners might.
We actually love heat pumps. We believe they’re key to tackling climate change and reducing energy costs. But don’t worry – we’re not here to sell you one. Heat pumps are amazing, but they’re just one piece of the puzzle when it comes toHome refurbishment vs. retrofit
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.Transforming a 1930s bungalow for a greener future
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 storyExploring the pros and cons of your home insulation options
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 informedFeeling lost in energy jargon?
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 energyCelebrating a decade of retrofit success
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.Ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency for free, or at a reduced price
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,What the Duke of Westminster can teach the UK about retrofitting
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 withWorking with Oxfordshire local Councils for a sustainable future
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. StayA short history of retrofitting
‘Retrofitting’ became an urgent necessity during World War II when weapons technology was advancing rapidly. Planes and ships were becoming outdated even before their construction was complete, leading to the innovative approach of retrofitting theseOutstanding opportunities in Oxfordshire
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 emissionsWelcome the warmth
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?Why retrofit your home?
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 ofThe race to retrofit
The race to retrofit our homes offers a future of possibility and sustainability. It embodies our commitment to a greener, cleaner world.The early bird gets a cosy home
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.Cosy Homes Oxfordshire features in The Sunday Times
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 toM&M Waste Solutions Win Clean and Green Award with JACK FM
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 andRetrofit success story featured on Sky News
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 andEnergy Saving Homes Films premiere at Oxford Town Hall
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 andWill solar PV save you money on energy bills? It depends…
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 yourCould retrofit add £10k to the value of your home?
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 andHeat pump FAQ: Will my home have space for a heat pump?
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,Nominations open for the Clean and Green Award
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 beHeat pump FAQ: How loud is a heat pump?
Like many homeowners in the UK, you might be considering a heat pump for your home. But how loud is it compared to your current heating system? Let’s dive in and find out. We often get asked by homeowners like you about the noise levels of heat pumps, withOur Guide to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
On 1 April 2022, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) came into effect providing £450 million worth of government grants to help homeowners in England and Wales upgrade to low-carbon heating systems, such as heat pumps and biomass boilers. The application andLandlords, are you ready for new changes coming to EPCs?
Since 2008, it has been compulsory for landlords to obtain an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of ‘E’ for a property they lease. EPCs tell prospective tenants and buyers how energy efficient a property is on a scale of A to G, with AWhat’s it like living with an air source heat pump?
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 ofThinking about a heat pump? Don’t miss out on RHI funding
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 Upgrade Scheme (BUS) in March 2022. For some homeowners, it may be in their interest to take part inWhat does COP26 mean for the future of retrofit?
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 goShould you wait to install your heat pump or go ahead now?
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 forClaim back VAT on your home retrofit with Cosy Homes Oxfordshire
“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) – theA community member’s personal experience of home retrofit in Abingdon
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 CosySuperHomes has relaunched: a network of homeowners ‘redefining green living’
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 forHow to make your home more energy efficient: an infographic
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.What is energy efficiency – and why is it important?
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. DefiningThe end of our grant-funded pilot phase – what’s the next step for Cosy Homes?
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 StrategyOur key learnings from developing a home retrofit service
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 StrategyTwo years into Cosy Homes Oxfordshire: our impact so far
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’veA behind-the-scenes look at the retrofit process with Andy Pedley
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 increasingWhat to expect when you switch to a heat pump to heat your home
Home retrofit and energy efficiency improvements can transform your cold, draughty house into an energy efficient, Cosy Home - here'sRetrofit challenges for an Edwardian mid-terrace home
When it comes to home retrofit there is no ‘one-size fits all’ solution, as the age, style, past improvements and upkeep of a house all come into play. In this series of blogs we talk to owners of different types of home and explore some of theLow Carbon Homes Oxfordshire – online event this March
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 speakerHow home retrofit can transform a cold, draughty house into a cosy and energy efficient home [animation]
Home retrofit and energy efficiency improvements can transform your cold, draughty house into an energy efficient, Cosy Home - here'sA guide to solar thermal systems (solar water heating systems)
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.A guide to biomass boilers
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.Explaining the Renewable Heat Incentive
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 HeatA guide to home ventilation
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.A guide to LED lighting
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.A guide to installing solar panels
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.A guide to installing heating controls
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.A guide to double and triple glazing your windows
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.A guide to draught-proofing
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.A guide to floor insulation
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.A guide to loft or roof insulation
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.A guide to solid wall insulation – internal and external wall insulation
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.A guide to cavity wall insulation
In this series of blog posts, we’ll explain 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. We’ll includeA guide to replacing your boiler (for energy efficiency)
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 business opportunity for home retrofit in the construction industry
There’s huge opportunity in retrofit for the building and construction industry – here’s why The UK government has set a target committing to become a net zero carbon emissions economy by 2050, as recommended by the Committee on ClimateA guide to Air Source Heat Pumps
In this series of ‘understanding retrofit measures’ blogs, we’ll be exploring different ways to improve the energy efficiency of homes – reducing energy usage, cutting energy bills and carbon emissions, and making your home more comfortable all yearMember stories: the benefits of joining the Cosy Homes Oxfordshire delivery team
Cosy Homes Oxfordshire is a one-stop home retrofit service connecting homeowners with skilled building professionals to deliver high-quality retrofit work, under one seamless programme. We work with building professionals, contracted as RetrofitWhy we take a whole house approach to home retrofit
Taking a whole house approach is one of the key factors in ensuring that home retrofit is as effective as possible at reducing the carbon footprint of a property. Whole house retrofit means taking a property to near net-zero energy demand. This likelyA guide to ground source heat pumps
In this series of ‘understanding retrofit’ blogs, we’ll be explaining different retrofit measures which can improve the energy efficiency of homes – how they work, what types of homes they will be right for, what installation looksHome transformation: retrofitting to get a Cotswolds cottage off fossil fuels for good
This home transformation took place in an end-of-terrace cottage in the picturesque village of Hook Norton, located in the Cotswolds.Is the Cosy Homes Oxfordshire retrofit service right for you?
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 estimatedWhy moving home is the perfect time to plan your retrofit project
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 getWhat if Cosy Homes Oxfordshire isn’t the right route for me, but I’m still interested in retrofitting my home?
At Cosy Homes Oxfordshire, we specialise in a whole house retrofit approach to retrofitting homes. We assess your entire house to provide tailored recommendations for maximum energy efficiency. This involves implementing various measures across differentCan you introduce us to a reliable builder in your local area?
Over the past year we’ve been building up our pool of trusted, local building contractors to work on home retrofit projects through Cosy Homes Oxfordshire. This has been successful and we’ve brought lots of contractorsWhat can you expect from a home energy assessment?
Once you’ve used our free Plan Builder advice service and submitted your outline plan, which gives you a snapshot of your property’s energy-saving potential, the next exciting step in your retrofit journey is an on-site assessment. This is where thingsCosy Homes Oxfordshire: update on COVID-19 and visiting homes
With the growing threat of COVID-19 and in line with UK Government advice on limiting non-essential contact, we temporarily stopped our on-site Whole House Plan home assessments in March this year – but we are now able to offer these as normal. DuringImproving the energy efficiency of your home as a rental tenant
If you’re a tenant in a rental property in Oxfordshire and you think the energy efficiency of your home could beWhat to look out for in a home retrofit service
Get expert guidance on retrofitting your home to ensure the work is done in the right order with minimalWhy home energy efficiency is so important in tackling the climate emergency
In a show of resilience towards the climate emergency, the UK government has made the commitment to become net-zero by 2050. The UK’s net-zero target would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 100% of 1990 levels, as recommended by the Committee onThe role of the Retrofit Coordinator
Interested in retrofitting your home and wondering what the role of a Retrofit Coordinator involves? Spending days filled with home assessment visits, tailored consultations, energy audits, and site visits, Retrofit Coordinators take a hands-on approach toMaking your period property sustainable and comfortable
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