Only 200,000 people in the UK are currently working to retrofit their homes, according to think tank Autonomy, which reveal an almost untapped opportunity to introduce greater energy efficiency measures in homes. Barriers and concerns around accurate energy ratings, understanding of carbon footprint and retrofitting costs must be addressed urgently, if the UK is to meet its net zero goal to retrofit all homes to an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band C standard by 2035.
To combat this, South Coast Insulation Services (SCIS), a leading Trustmark-approved installer in the energy efficiency industry, is the first to partner with Retrogreen, the specialist provider of residential energy efficiency advisory services to mortgage providers, lenders and brokers, for the launch of its ‘With You All The Way’ software solution. The platform is set to revolutionise the assessment of energy ratings, carbon footprints, and retrofitting costs for buildings and homes.
With You All The Way was developed to address the pressing need for lenders to gain visibility of the condition of their property loan book. With over 70 percent of UK mortgage holders covered by Net Zero obligations, lenders are needing to complete 350,000 retrofits annually to fulfil their carbon commitments,
Developed in collaboration with Trustmark, the respected government quality agency, Retrogreen has received approval as a Scheme Provider. SCIS is the first installer set to deliver the platform’s installation and assessor services.
“We are thrilled to partner with Retrogreen and work towards becoming an accredited business under this landmark scheme. We share a common vision of driving positive change and equipping consumers with the tools they need to make sustainable choices,” said Nick Gillanders, CEO, SCIS of the partnership.
Together, the organisations are spearheading an end-to-end retrofit journey that seamlessly connects consumers, brokers, lenders, assessors, and installers. This innovative approach, operating under the umbrella of Trustmark, effectively overcomes many of the challenges associated with making energy efficient upgrades to homes.
Empowering lenders and homeowners on the journey to net zero
Deeper collaboration and combining expert capabilities between all stakeholders involved in the end-to-end retrofitting journey could be the key to unlocking improved ways for consumers and industry to realise their home energy efficiency ambitions.
With You All The Way empowers lenders to introduce new and highly competitive loan products to the market, fostering conditions that encourage lenders to play a more substantial role in shaping the energy efficiency market. Retrogreen is facilitating a transition away from heavy reliance on government support and subsidies, unlocking opportunities in the “willing to pay market” and driving progressive change within the residential sector.
Using a digital home model, With You All The Way guides users through a comprehensive retrofitting journey, including pre-installation assessment and smart meter monitoring to compare energy consumption with expectations. The platform offers various pathway options, enabling customers to select the retrofit measures most appropriate for their unique needs.
Recent research from Barclays found that as a result of and despite record energy bills over winter, more than half (55%) of homeowners do not feel confident making their homes more energy efficient. The study also revealed that the largest discrepancy between expected and actual energy efficiency-related changes to the home was the price of loft and pitch roof insulation, with homeowners’ anticipated cost being more than two and a half times more expensive than what they actually paid on average (£3,371 vs £1,1213).
With its intuitive software, the platform provides homeowners with an innovative platform to explore energy-saving options, visualise potential pathways against different EPC ratings, accurately estimate cost savings, and engage with Trustmark registered installer service providers. This empowers homeowners to make informed decisions about energy efficiency upgrades.
“The launch of With You All The Way represents a significant milestone for retrofitting in the UK and marks a pivotal moment for the energy efficiency industry in accelerating consumers’ efforts to make their homes more energy efficient. Working alongside Retrogreen, we are proud to lead the way in delivering an instrumental, inclusive, and comprehensive net zero software solution that benefits lenders, consumers, business, and the environment,” continued Nick Gillanders.
Retrofitting more sustainable homes, together
Aligned with the UK’s net zero goals, With You All The Way aims to shield individuals from volatile energy market spikes, providing peace of mind and control over energy consumption.
While SCIS is the first installer to partner with Retrogeen, industry conversations between assessors and contractors are already underway to expand With You All The Way’s reach and impact.
“We are delighted to be working with SCIS as our first partner. Since our announcement as a Scheme Provider by Trustmark, we have been actively recruiting assessors and contractors into our Net Zero Retrofit Framework (NZRF). We are also delighted by the response we have received from Lenders and Brokers,” said Colin Calder, CEO, Retrogreen
