Retrofitting for a Greener Future: How to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient the Low-Carbon Way
At Barefoot Architects, we believe that the homes we live in can, and should, be part of the solution to our climate crisis. Retrofitting your home for better energy efficiency doesn’t have to be daunting. In fact, it’s one of the most empowering and impactful steps you can take, not just for the planet, but for your comfort, wellbeing, and energy bills.
Start With the Fabric First
One of the most powerful retrofitting principles is “fabric first.” This means improving the building envelope: walls; roof; floors; windows, before investing in renewable tech. Why? Because the less energy your home loses, the less it needs to stay warm.
Insulation is the obvious starting point. Think lofts, external or internal wall insulation, and underfloor upgrades where possible. Natural insulation materials like wood fibre, hemp or cellulose offer low embodied carbon, breathable options that support a healthy indoor environment.
Windows and doors are often weak spots for heat loss. Double or triple glazing, coupled with draught-proofing, can transform how your home holds heat and feels to live in.
Airtightness is crucial but it's not about sealing your home into a box. It's about careful detailing to prevent cold air leaks and warm air escapes. This can also be done while integrating mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) to keep fresh air circulating efficiently.
Cold Harbour House before extension and retrofit
Understanding Whole-House Retrofit
To achieve meaningful energy savings and long-term performance, it’s vital to approach retrofit as a holistic system rather than a checklist of upgrades. A whole-house retrofit considers how all the elements, insulation, ventilation, heating, airtightness, and moisture control interact. For instance, improving airtightness without addressing ventilation can lead to condensation and poor indoor air quality. Conversely, adding insulation without resolving thermal bridges (cold spots where heat escapes) can reduce effectiveness and risk damp issues. A thoughtful strategy, often guided by a detailed energy model can help prioritise the right measures in the right order, maximising both performance and cost-effectiveness. This approach ensures that upgrades complement rather than compromise each other, and that your investment delivers both comfort and carbon savings for decades to come.
Cold Harbour House after Barefoot extension and retrofit
Choose Materials Wisely
Ecological retrofitting isn’t just about energy, it’s also about embodied carbon: the emissions released in producing and transporting materials. Low-impact, renewable, and locally sourced materials are the gold standard. Think timber, cork, lime, and reclaimed or recycled elements. These materials don't just lower your carbon footprint, they add character, warmth, and often longevity to your home.
Improving the windows, insulation, and airtightness all played a part in the Coldharbour retrofit strategy
Consider the Bigger Picture
Yes, a heat pump or solar panels can be brilliant additions, but only after your home is well insulated and airtight. When these technologies are layered on top of a low-energy envelope, they work more effectively and save more money.
At Barefoot Architects, we guide our clients through this process with clarity, care, and creativity. Whether you're retrofitting a Victorian terrace, a cottage, or anything else, we see retrofit as a chance to reimagine your home, to make it warmer, healthier, and fit for the future.