Pilot project tests energy upgrades on 1930s home, revealing insights for policy and practice
Skipton Building Society has launched a new retrofit project designed to support the UK’s 2050 net zero ambition and help homeowners improve the energy efficiency of their properties.
Named “The Big Retrofit,” the initiative involved upgrading a typical 1930s detached house opposite the society’s head office. The project gave Skipton Group valuable insights into the practical and technical aspects of retrofitting, which it now plans to share with members, policymakers, and the broader housing sector.
Completed in autumn 2024, the retrofit introduced several upgrades including an air source heat pump, solar panels, battery storage, triple glazing, cavity wall insulation, and modern ventilation systems. In partnership with Leeds Beckett University, Skipton assessed the property’s performance before and after the changes to measure gains in energy efficiency and emissions reductions.
The improvements resulted in the property’s energy performance certificate (EPC) rating increasing from ‘D’ to ‘B’, exceeding the government’s 2035 target for homes to reach at least a ‘C’ rating. The upgrades led to lower carbon emissions, reduced reliance on fossil fuels, and greater indoor comfort, particularly during the colder months.
The project findings, supported by research from Leeds Beckett University and the University of Leeds, include several recommendations for government. These include reaffirming the UK’s commitment to its 2050 net zero target, setting clear retrofit expectations for homeowners as well as landlords, extending the 0% VAT rate on energy-efficient home improvements beyond 2027, and rebalancing electricity pricing to encourage low-carbon heating.
Skipton Building Society said it will apply the lessons from the project to inform new products, train staff, and support members looking to upgrade their homes. Through a partnership with Vibrant Energy Matters, eligible members can already access free EPC Plus reports to help identify energy-saving opportunities.
“The Big Retrofit is more than a report — it’s a call to action,” said Michaela Wright, head of sustainability at Skipton Group. “We hope this helps homeowners, policymakers, and the housing industry move faster, smarter, and more affordably toward a low-carbon future.”
Wright added that the society aims to make retrofitting “accessible, practical, and affordable,” and that the project will be a foundation for ongoing work across the UK housing market.
Skipton continues to offer a green additional borrowing option for homeowners and landlords financing retrofit improvements. The mutual said it is developing further tools and approaches to support customers in carrying out energy upgrades.
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