Reasons to retrofit: Meet upcoming housing standards

13% of Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions come from domestic buildings. To reach net zero by 2045, we’ll all need to make our homes more energy efficient through retrofit to help bring down these emissions.

Upcoming legislation on housing standards will help homeowners understand what improvements they need to make. Below, we’ll cover what the current draft legislation looks like.

The Heat in Buildings Bill

The decarbonisation of Scottish homes will primarily be guided by the Heat in Buildings Bill. The Bill’s consultation phase closed in March 2024. Now, MPs are taking consultation feedback into account. After that, the Bill will go before Parliament.

What does the Heat in Buildings Bill say?

In its current form, the Bill says we’ll all need to make green upgrades to our homes by:

• Switching to Zero Direct Emissions Heating (ZDEH) systems
• Improving our home’s energy efficiency

When will these changes need to be made?

In it’s current form, the Bill states that:

• polluting heating systems will be prohibited after 2045
• homeowners will need to install the recommended energy efficiency measures by 2033.

Get help from our EcoCosi service

EcoCosi from Changeworks will make sure you don’t get left in the cold when it comes to home retrofit. We start with a bespoke whole house assessment, which allows us to create a unique plan for maximising the energy efficiency of your home. From there, we’re with you every step of the way on your journey to cosier, low carbon living.

Beyond a simple checklist

Our retrofit service will ensure your home meets any upcoming housing standards. But, just as importantly, our tailored approach goes beyond a simple checklist of improvements. Our in-depth assessment gives us a detailed understanding of your home. This allows us to:

• identify which upgrades would be most suitable and effective
• model how these upgrades will affect your home, and bypass any potential problems

For instance, upgrading insulation levels will also make your home more airtight. As a result, you’re likely to experience problems with mould and damp unless you improve your property’s ventilation.

At EcoCosi, we think it’s vital that you get a retrofit that’s right for you. That means having the warmest, cosiest home possible, without any unintended consequences.