With Oxford in the midst of a heatwave, homeowners in Oxford who are looking for ways to keep their homes cool during the summer are being encouraged to consider retrofitting their properties.

Retrofitting is the process of making changes to your property, such as installing heat pumps, solar panels, loft insulation, wall insulation, and more, to reduce carbon emissions.    

In Oxford, buildings are responsible for around 60 per cent of carbon emissions, with 25 per cent of total emissions coming from homes.

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But alongside reducing carbon emissions, retrofitting can also help keep your energy bills down, make your home warmer in the winter, and cooler in the summer.

While larger-scale retrofitting requires an initial investment, the long-term savings in energy costs can often make it worthwhile. Smaller scale measures, such as insulating attics, walls and floors, shutters, and double glazing can also help make a difference to staying cool in the summer by keeping cooler air indoors, while keeping humidity and heat outside.

Grant schemes, such as the Home Upgrade Grant and Boiler Upgrade Scheme, can help to reduce the upfront cost of installation by offering discounted or even free energy efficiency upgrades. 

A row of brick homes.A row of brick homes. (Image: Oxford City Council)

The Home Upgrade Grant offers free energy efficiency upgrades, including free installation of heat pumps, solar panels and loft insulation. Eligible households include those with annual incomes of £36,000 or less, those with homes not heated by mains gas, and owners of homes with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating between D and G.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers grant funding between £500 and £7,500 to cover part of the cost of replacing a fossil fuel heating system with a ground heat pump or biomass boiler. Homeowners are eligible if their property has a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), and if they will be replacing a fossil fuel heating system such as oil, gas or electric heating.

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Others grants that are available include the Great British Insulation Scheme, Connected for Warmth, and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4), with more information about all schemes available on Oxford City Council's website. 

Oxford homeowners who want more guidance on retrofitting, and what changes they can make to their homes can visit Cosy Homes Oxfordshire’s free online Plan Builder tool.

Their guide will show homeowners the current energy performance of their home, and will allow users to explore retrofit measures which can be tailored to suit their needs and budget.

Geordie Stewart of Cosy Homes Oxfordshire, said: “It is commonly known that insulation can keep you warm in the winter, but did you know that it can also prevent overheating in the summer?

"Retrofitting requires skilled coordination, specification of appropriate materials, and ventilation to ensure that your home is efficient, keeping you comfortable and healthy all year around.”

(Image: Oxford Climate Awards) The Oxford Mail and Oxford City Council are looking to find Oxford’s climate heroes to reward and celebrate those making a difference in our community.

Keep an eye on our climate coverage and let us know your green heroes. 

The closing date for nominations is Sunday, August 11 and entry forms can be found here: www.oxfordmail.co.uk/climate-awards

The awards will culminate in a prestigious black-tie event on October 17, 2024, at Oxford Town Hall.

This elegant evening will honour the outstanding achievements of our nominees and reveal the winners across various categories, celebrating their exceptional contributions to sustainability and climate action.

We are searching for unsung heroes across Oxford who are contributing to making our world a better place through climate initiatives.