The newsletter for UK low carbon housing professionals | West Midlands week of action
The newsletter for UK low carbon housing professionals | West Midlands week of action
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Issue: 16 April 2025
'Retrofit Review' is the retrofit-focused newsletter from Low Carbon Homes for those wanting to progress housing retrofit ambitions at scale.
👋🏽 Welcome to the new issue
Hello everyone

Long weekend incoming. ☀️ Before you log off, catch this! We just wrapped a super-engaging first Retrofit Action Week South West, hosted by Retrofit West. Think buzzing presenters and engaged attendees – with lively chat including "Air-tightness - music to my ears!" 🎶 A super week for South West retrofit engagement and fantastic to work with a new-to-us regional retrofit community.

🖱️Explore South West Summit presentations. Register/Watch (on Zoom Events).
▶️ Login for SW videos
In this issue

New HPA guide for installers | Guide for older/historic buildings | Consumer guide for residential retrofit (it's all about the guides!) | Wolverhampton neighbourhood pilot project | West Midlands week of action upcoming | WMCA devolution helping households (West Mids retrofit is happening! | Upsurge in sustainable materials usage | New DESNZ clean heat scheme launch | + plenty of sector acronyms to enjoy!

Let's get to it. Read on, retrofitters.
 
📰 NEWS & OPINION
Clean Heat Market Mechanism

The Clean Heat Market Mechanism (CHMM) has been introduced by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Under the scheme, manufacturers that sell more than 19,999 gas boilers to the UK market (or 999 oil boilers) must ensure that at least 6% of their total UK sales come from heat pumps in 2025/26.  
🔗 More info
Sustainable building materials sales surge with renewable heating up 60%

Jewson has reported strong sales across its sustainable product range in the last 12 months, with purchases of renewable heating systems up 60% compared with last year. Sales of recycled roofing tiles rose by 146% in the 12 months to the end of February 2025, while high efficiency insulation sales increased by 12% during the same period.
🔗 More info
Gas boilers biggest source of pollution in London
 

A new study has revealed a significant shift in the sources of nitrogen oxides (NOx) pollution in central London, with gas boilers used for heating now identified as the primary contributor.
 
🔗 More info
MCS announced as approved scheme for CHMM

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) has been announced as an approved certification scheme for the Clean Heat Market Mechanism (CHMM). The CHMM launched on 1 April and requires boiler manufacturers to increase their share of heat pump sales.
🔗 More info
UK gov may extend domestic energy grants to heat batteries

The UK government is considering expanding the boiler upgrade grant scheme for England and Wales to cover sources of low-carbon heating for domestic homes other than heat pumps. The government has a target of 600,000 heat pump installations annually by 2028. But Resolution Foundation data revealed worryingly low uptake of heat pumps.
🔗 More info
🏘️ REGIONAL RETROFIT
 
Thousands of households to save £3m/year in fuel bills

Thousands of families across the region are set to save a combined £3 million a year on their household fuel bills as part of an unprecedented shift in power, funding and responsibility from Westminster to the West Midlands. Details showing the impact on the economy and people’s standard of living from the £389m Integrated Settlement secured by Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, were recently published by the Government.
🔗 More info
Scheme to make homes more energy-efficient launches in Wolverhampton
 

A pilot project has been launched to make a neighbourhood in Wolverhampton more energy-efficient, with the results to be fed into a wider project for the city, the council says. The authority has been given £545,502 by the West Midlands Combined Authority to trial measures on a "small cluster" of streets in Graiseley.
 
🔗More info
Learn more about West Midlands retrofit progress and delivery

Discover how West Midlands devolution is helping boost the region's retrofit market and home energy efficiency at the upcoming West Midlands Retrofit Summit, online 13-15 May + there's a whole week of action and activities over 10-18 May, hosted by local and regional practitioners - everyone's invited and it's all 🆓
🔗More info

Retrofit Action Week (RAW) West Midlands, 10-18 May 2025. Hosted activities online & in-person 🆓 Everyone's invited!
📆 EVENTS & RESOURCES
West Midlands week of retrofit action this May
 

A week of retrofit-focused events, activities and action is coming up for the West Midlands, 10-18 May. Maximising communication reach while providing the widest range of knowledge-sharing opportunities - RAW West Midlands 2025 is created for everyone interested in scaling up retrofit for the region's homes. 

ℹ️ Online summit with Host Partner West Midlands Combined Authority is open for registration now + we're inviting regional West Midlands organisations and community groups to host their own events over the week - the listings are growing!
 
🔗 More info

🆕 This year, RAW West Midlands hosted events are supported by Act on Energy - RAW West Midlands Community Partner - experts at householder and in-community energy efficiency advice and engagement for householders and retrofit businesses alike.
Check out their extensive resources
Unlock local retrofit insights and support!

Join the vibrant West Midlands retrofit community during Retrofit Action Week West Midlands (May 10-18) for FREE in-person & online events. Connect directly with local practitioners, gain crucial information, and become part of the solution. All welcome!
🔗 More info
 
💬 REPORTS, RESEARCH, INSIGHTS, GUIDES
RICS releases consumer guide for residential retrofitting
 

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has published a free guide to retrofitting homes. The organisation said there was a growing public interest in improving the energy efficiency of homes to cut down costs. It said this was also crucial in transitioning the UK into a net zero country.
 
🔗 More info
Handbook: Level 3 award in energy efficiency for older and traditional buildings
 

The UK’s heritage bodies Cadw, Historic England and Historic Environment Scotland have been collaborating to create this handbook to support learners undertaking retrofit qualifications. At the heart of the qualification and the guidance and research that underpin its content is a key message: traditional buildings can be retrofitted and have a role to play in climate action.
 
🔗 More info
HPA publishes new RCD guide to help heat pump installers

A new guide to help domestic heat pump installers choose the right residual current device (RCD) for their projects. The comprehensive document has been put together by the Heat Pump Association (HPA) together with electrical certification bodies NAPIT and NICEIC.
🔗 More info
 
 

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With valuable insights for installers, specifiers, engineers, manufacturers, and suppliers in the microgeneration sector, REI covers heat pumps, solar, storage, EV charging and domestic energy efficiency as well as the integrated home, smart controls and retrofitting.
 
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Enjoy the long weekend! 👋 Catch you with the next Retrofit Review on April 30th.

Warmly,
Low Carbon Homes | Retrofit Action Week (RAW)
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