Responsive Retrofit Pilot Evaluation

‘I never knew there was anything out there like that’

The Responsive Retrofit pilot, launched in 2023, is a programme delivered by Clarion Futures, the charitable foundation of Clarion Housing Group. The pilot sought to integrate money guidance with energy-related advice and support, and to minimise fuel poverty among those living in energy inefficient properties until large-scale retrofit works are carried out. It provided a range of support that combined money and energy guidance and warm home packs with low-level efficiency measures installed after a holistic home energy assessment.

‘Yeah, I don’t tend to worry. I’m not worrying as much as I did when I first moved in. If it’s hot, I’ll put a fan on. If it’s cold, I’ll put the heating on. Because my mental health is not great and due to my depression, I tend to spend a lot of time at home. It’s nice to know I’m not going to get huge bills from sitting at home and I can just feel at home, feel comfortable and it does reduce my anxiety knowing that it’s all ticking over.’ Household interviewee.

Helen Stockton, Head of Research at National Energy Action said: ‘Our evaluation points to a critical role for social landlords. One that goes beyond just the property. It suggests that services like the Responsive Retrofit pilot can help reshape how tenants see their landlords – as ‘more than just a landlord’ but also as a source of help and support in other areas too; supporting tenants to live in warmer and safer homes. Our report provides practical insights for social landlords and others developing support for households and highlights the range of impacts that can be achieved when housing, energy and financial support are integrated.‘

Below you can read the summary report from an evaluation of the pilot undertaken by National Energy Action’s Research Team. The evaluation was funded by the Fusion21 Foundation and examined the effectiveness and impacts of embedding energy behaviour change advice, money guidance and the installation of small-scale energy efficiency measures over a 12–18-month period for tenants. As well as outcomes for tenants the evaluation also presents key lessons for programme design and delivery, and insights for practice.

You can read the summary report below.