Comment by Anna Seaton O’Connor, Senior Low Income and Vulnerable Consumer Research Manager, at Energy Systems Catapult.

The findings of the Warm Home Prescription® Insights and Impact Report provide compelling evidence that the retrofitting of homes can improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable and low income households. By addressing the root causes of cold homes, the WHP project has improved the living standards of recipients and demonstrated the potential of home energy improvements to deliver positive public health outcomes.

Retrofit – a national need

Retrofitting involves upgrading our existing homes to improve their energy efficiency. Getting this right is crucial if we’re to reduce carbon emissions, lower our energy bills and keep people out of hospital.

After a winter of receiving paid-for heating and subsequently a warm home, over 90 homes were improved through energy efficiency upgrades and low carbon heating in late 2023. Home improvements included wireless heating controls, new radiators and valves, and low carbon heating systems. The outcomes speak for themselves. Almost all (95%) achieved temperatures that avoided extreme harm to their health, such as heart attacks, strokes and slips, trips and falls.

What we’ve demonstrated is that retrofit goes far beyond Net Zero benefits, offering potential improvements to public health and quality of life. Importantly, the WHP retrofit trial determined how supporting low income and vulnerable households with their energy costs and reducing their energy consumption can prevent them having to make difficult choices between heating and other essential needs.

Retrofit vs home energy improvements

It is worth us reflecting on the language we use as an industry when talking to the public. ‘Retrofit’ might seem alien to the general public, coming across as technical or daunting. There’s an argument to be had around the need to change the emphasis and accessibility of what we do. Shifting the language to terms such as ‘home upgrades’ or ‘home energy improvements’ suggests improvement that enhances comfort and the wellbeing of people. This might resonate more than retrofit with all homeowners, not just those who are vulnerable.

Our latest WHP evidence tells us that it can be difficult for people to initially understand the benefits of retrofitting. Simplifying the language and emphasising immediate benefits that directly affect their everyday lives could improve uptake. Also, framing the benefits about retrofit as one that meets the health needs of many people could be a more successful way to engage with this group to get the help they need to stay warm and well at home.

Making home energy improvements a national priority

With a new government holding the keys to Downing Street, we have an opportunity to reprioritise home energy improvements on a national scale. There’s a chance to reshape policies and funding towards a broader adoption of home energy upgrades. WHP has demonstrated the success of targeted interventions, delivering better health and wellbeing outcomes for people.

How we do this is not easy, but it is possible. Our work to date has proven the concept can reduce use of the health service – check out our WHP reports and independent analysis of the project by Sheffield Hallam University – now we need to focus on scaling WHP up to meet the needs of other households at risk of living in a cold home. My colleague, Dr Rose Chard, Senior Advisor Fair Futures, recently shared her thoughts on the government’s decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Allowance and the role that Warm Home Prescription could play in better targeting those most in need. You can read Rose’s thoughts here.

By making home energy improvements a national priority, simplifying the process and making the benefits to householders clear, we can widen participation and deliver even greater social outcomes. There has never been a better time to upgrade our homes, but to do so and ensure no one gets left behind requires collaboration between government, the healthcare sector, housing, industry, businesses, and charities on a scale not yet seen.