Can boomers drive a retrofit revolution?

‘Boomers’ –  those born in the baby boom period after the second world war – are uniquely positioned to lead the charge on retrofitting Britain’s ageing housing stock. This retrofit revolution could have huge impacts, from tackling climate change to lowering bills and improving the health and wellbeing of a generation.

New data from British Gas says 45% of their customers in this age group report adding insulation to their homes in 2024. This is encouraging. But with 14.3 million homes in the UK in need of retrofit, this is still a small number.

Our coworker, Joe Scragg, recently wrote an article published in Building Design Magazine. It that reflects on a generation who have revolution in their blood, and both the desire and means to make their homes comfortable and energy efficient. Joe looked at the drivers for retrofitting homes for this generation, and also what the obstacles might be that are stopping them.

Over half of this generation owned their own homes by the age of thirty. And we find they are expressing a desire to stay in these homes, rather than relocate. Retaining social ties and community are hugely important in the face of a loneliness epidemic, but their homes now need to adapt to their changing lifestyles.

With their children no longer living at home, the baby boomer generation is preparing for their own futures. With retirement comes more time spent at home, as well as the potential need for more accessible spaces. Alongside works like adding a ground floor shower room, or finally creating a specialist space for an interest or hobby, retrofitting your home makes sense. It not only helps to reduce the environmental impact of heating and cooling, but also brings comfort, lower energy bills and will contribute positively to health and wellbeing.

Retrofitting a generations’ homes

We are on the cusp of a retrofit revolution, and the Boomers are poised to lead it.  There are government incentives available to homeowners: alongside the existing grants that are available to support window replacements, installation of ASHPs, insulation and solar panels, green finance to enable works is beginning to become available. Green technologies are now tried and tested, and there is funding and programmes available to train the workforce needed to deliver retrofit successfully. Collective Works, and other architects are experienced in delivering retrofit as part of renovation projects.

What is the difference between retrofit and renovation? Read this blog.

In his article, he also suggests ways in which some small policy changes at national and local could encourage greater adoption of retrofit. In the meantime, we are developing a knowledge base to ease the path of retrofit projects . With some help from retrofit experts, Boomers could be at the helm of a retrofit revolution that would exemplify the impact on people’s lives, and prepare the country’s housing stock for a better future – both for the planet and those living in them.

We are currently working to adapt a number of homes for our clients. Alongside extensions and renovations, we are integrating energy-efficient upgrades such as better insulation, renewable energy systems like solar panels, and low-carbon heating solutions like heat pumps into homes. We are working to make homes warmer and more efficient, for a more comfortable, healthier future.

Talk to us about adapting your home for a climate friendly, comfortable later life