Sustainable Bristol

Refit West homes work underway

Posted on 17 April 2010

Our homes are responsible for over a quarter of the UK’s carbon footprint.  A key theme of Forum for the Future’s work in Bristol and the West of England is Refit West, a pioneering whole house retrofit scheme to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions from privately owned homes in the existing housing stock.

Bishopston semi detached house before works start

One of the important elements required to enable homeowners to take cost effective action is a simple delivery process and access to a trusted and skilled workforce.

Refit West has developed a three step process of: survey & report; followed up by firm quotes from approved contractors; and then the practical works.  All of which are driven by providing the homeowner with the right information.

For the last few months we have been working with 9 homeowners to test and improve our approach and works are now under way on the first property.  The build schedule on this total whole house refurbishment is 10-12 weeks and it’s not the only one.  The next demonstration properties are lining up and we anticipate having three or four more underway within the month. Homeowners will be blogging as the works progress, reflecting on their experience and the realities of carrying out an eco-refurbishment.