Why Retrofitting Your Home Matters
At Architecta, we believe that every home has the potential to be part of the climate solution. With the UK committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050, improving the energy performance of existing homes is one of the most impactful steps we can take—and it starts with a thoughtful, well-designed retrofit.
The Retrofit Imperative
The UK’s housing stock is responsible for around 20% of national greenhouse gas emissions, mostly from gas heating and hot water. This means our homes, as they stand, are a significant contributor to climate change.
As the independent Climate Change Committee (CCC) points out:
“Four in five homes that will be occupied in 2050 have already been built and most will need retrofitting with low carbon heating systems and energy efficiency improvements for the UK to achieve net zero emissions.”
Retrofitting isn’t about following a trend. It’s about meeting a legal and moral obligation under the Climate Change Act 2008, which binds the UK to net zero emissions by mid-century. Unless we tackle the performance of existing buildings, this target simply won’t be met.
The Scale of the Challenge
UK homes are among the least energy-efficient in Europe. According to the National Infrastructure Commission:
“The UK housing stock is among the least energy efficient in Europe.”
This is a legacy of our historic building methods and slow policy response. The result is that many homes are cold in winter, overheat in summer, and expensive to run all while emitting unnecessary carbon.
“During 2019, Britain’s homes accounted for 66 million tonnes of direct emissions … and another 17 million tonnes of indirect emissions … Direct and indirect emissions together accounted for 16% of the country’s total emissions.” – CCC
The CCC and others estimate we need to retrofit over one million homes per year, every year to 2050, to stay on track. As the UK Green Building Council has put it:
“We cannot afford to retrofit them twice.”
That’s why every measure counts, especially when designed to last.
What Retrofit Means in Practice
We take a fabric-first approach, prioritising insulation, airtightness, and ventilation to reduce energy demand before switching to low-carbon heating systems like air-source heat pumps. We favour natural, vapour open materials to support moisture balance, indoor air quality, and long-term durability.
Beyond energy, retrofit improves:
Comfort – warmer rooms, fewer draughts
Health – better indoor air quality
Affordability – lower energy bills
Resilience – homes ready for climate extremes
Value – futureproofed for changing regulation and market demand
How We Can Help
At Architecta, we specialise in sensitive retrofit, blending natural materials with low-impact strategies to make homes more sustainable without compromising their character. Whether it’s a full Passivhaus-level upgrade or targeted interventions, we work with you to create a step-by-step plan tailored to your home, budget and lifestyle.
If you’re ready to start your retrofit journey or want to explore your options, please get in touch we’d be happy to help.