A simple guide to retrofit services

What is a retrofit service?

Retrofit means making changes to an existing home to make it warmer, more energy efficient, lower carbon or better suited to modern heating systems.

A retrofit service can help you plan these changes. Some services provide advice and a plan for your home, while others offer additional support, such as arranging assessments, coordinating installers or overseeing work.

Retrofit services vary, so it's important to check what's included, what qualifications or accreditations they have, and whether they're independent from any installers they recommend.

How is it different from Home Energy Scotland, an installer and Warmer Homes Scotland?

• Home Energy Scotland provides free, impartial advice on home energy improvements, low-carbon heating, renewables and funding. We do not sell products, manage projects or carry out installations.
• A retrofit service is usually a private, paid-for service that can help plan or coordinate home improvements.
• An installer carries out physical work, such as fitting insulation, installing a heat pump or upgrading heating controls.
• Warmer Homes Scotland is a Scottish Government-funded programme for eligible households, with support arranged through its own process.

Why would I use a retrofit service?

Making improvements to your home can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially if you're considering several improvements at once.

For example, you might be thinking about:

• installing a heat pump
• improving insulation
• upgrading windows and doors
• adding solar panels and battery storage

You might have questions about what type of insulation is right for your home, what size solar panel system might suit your electricity use, whether battery storage would be useful, or how to improve original or single-glazed windows.

A retrofit service can help bring these decisions together into a plan that suits your home and budget.

A good whole-home plan should also consider the condition of your home, ventilation and moisture risks, as well as potential energy savings.

When might a retrofit service be useful?

Retrofit services are often used for larger or more complex projects.

This might include:

• projects involving multiple improvements
• major home renovations
• improvements to older or traditionally constructed homes; or
• projects involving several different contractors or specialist trades.

For simpler improvements, such as loft insulation or heating controls, many homeowners choose to work directly with a qualified installer.

Do I need a retrofit service?

Not necessarily.

Many homeowners plan and arrange home energy improvements without using a retrofit service.

Whether one is right for you depends on:

• the type of work you're planning
• how confident you feel managing the project yourself
• the level of support you'd like during the process.

Can I still access Home Energy Scotland funding if I use a retrofit service?

Yes. You can apply for Home Energy Scotland funding whether or not you use a retrofit service.

However, funding is only available for eligible improvements, such as insulation or heating technologies. It does not cover separate fees charged by a retrofit service for advice, planning, design or project management.

You must still meet the relevant funding criteria, and any work must meet programme requirements. You should not start work until you receive an offer.

Before you agree to any paid service or installation work, check the current funding rules or speak to Home Energy Scotland.

Can I access funding without a retrofit service?

Yes. Most homeowners apply for funding and arrange improvements directly with installers.

You must still meet the relevant funding criteria, and any work must meet programme requirements. You should not start work until you receive an offer.

Before you agree to any paid service or installation work, check the current funding rules or speak to Home Energy Scotland.

What about Warmer Homes Scotland?

Warmer Homes Scotland is not the same as a private retrofit service.

Warmer Homes Scotland is a Scottish Government-funded programme that helps eligible households make their homes warmer and more energy efficient. If you're eligible, the programme may arrange and fund suitable improvements through its own process.

Paying for a private retrofit service does not mean you're applying for Warmer Homes Scotland.

If you think you may be eligible for Warmer Homes Scotland, speak to Home Energy Scotland to understand the next steps.

Can Home Energy Scotland recommend a retrofit service?

No.

As an impartial advice service, Home Energy Scotland does not recommend, endorse or select individual retrofit service providers.

Our role is to provide independent information so that you can decide what's right for your home and circumstances.

How can I find a retrofit service?

If you decide you'd like additional support with your project, you can research retrofit services through:

• online searches
• professional and industry directories
• local recommendations
• community retrofit projects and initiatives.

As with any home improvement project, it's important to do your research before appointing a company.

What should I consider before choosing a retrofit service?

Before choosing a retrofit service, ask:

• What services are included?
• Will they only provide advice, or manage the project as well?
• What qualifications, accreditations or experience do they have?
• Are they independent, or do they receive commission from installers or suppliers?
• Do they have insurance for the advice, design or project management they provide?
• Can they provide a written scope of work and clear fees before you commit?
• How do they choose or recommend installers?
• Will they check the condition of your home, including ventilation, damp and moisture risks, before recommending insulation?
• Will their recommendations meet any funding requirements?
• Who is responsible if there are delays, defects or problems during the work?

Taking time to understand how a service operates can help you decide whether it's the right fit for your project.

Not sure where to start?

If you're not sure where to start, Home Energy Scotland can help.

Our advisors offer free, impartial advice on home energy improvements, low-carbon heating and funding. They can also explain the questions to ask before you commit to a paid service or installation work.