This was a vital element when a family of four was selected for a recent low carbon retrofit project in partnership with Camden Council - an eco-refurbishment of a three-storey Victorian terraced house in the borough.

Some 15 families responded to say they would like their property to be retrofitted; the selected family’s commitment to save energy was a factor in deciding which property would benefit. (There were other factors such as age and number of residents, suitability of property, and so on). We worked with the family before, during and after the project to prepare them for a low-energy lifestyle so that they would be ready to maximise the benefits once the works were complete.

Camden Council has also been able to learn a great deal from the residents. The results have been impressive - fuel bills are estimated to fall by a staggering £600 a year, with carbon emissions down 77 per cent.

The project also demonstrated that taking a ‘whole house’ approach to retrofitting has a far larger and more cost-effective impact than installing green ‘bling’. At United House, we are looking at a two-phase approach, where low-cost, high-impact measures are fitted initially (around £7,000 spent can save up to 50 per cent carbon emissions) leaving further investments to be made later, when renewable energy technologies are cheaper and more effective.

Jeffrey Adams, group chief executive, United House

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