HEAT Hub Demonstrator Project: How Tailored Support Can Enhance Net Zero Policies
The Home Energy Advice Team (HEAT) Hub demonstrates how net zero policies can stimulate action more directly from consumers, rather than solely by the Government. Investment in a more proactive approach to public engagement, alongside providing information and advice can unlock and accelerate carbon reduction from self-funding households and positively impact across the industry.
The HEAT Hub is a Local Energy Advice Demonstrator (LEAD) programme, one of 36 government-funded pilot schemes aimed at delivering in-person energy advice for self- funding homeowners across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire (D2N2). Led by Nottingham Energy Partnership (NEP) with partners Marches Energy Agency (MEA) and the Local Authority Energy Partnership, tailored support was provided to homeowners in off-gas grid homes, conservation areas, and energy inefficient homes with and EPC rating of D-G.
HEAT Hub: Future-Fit Home Energy Plan Consultation
The HEAT Hub Demonstrator Project
The demonstrator project piloted various methods of delivering in-person advice through workshops, webinars, and free retrofit surveys, enabling local homeowners to access a broad range of support—from hands-on workshops to step-by-step retrofit plans.
Providing personalised advice and educating homeowners on key considerations from the outset—such as fabric-first insulation, the recommended order of work, and realistic estimates of costs and savings—empowers individuals to feel confident in the retrofit process, ensuring they don’t feel overwhelmed.
Identifying effective strategies for engaging homeowners helped build confidence in the scalable delivery of personalised retrofit advice. Ensuring that energy efficiency improvements are tailored specifically to each home results in more cost-effective and efficient solutions. From the outset, homeowners can avoid unnecessary expenses and gain a better understanding of which measures would work best for them, ultimately leading to a more comfortable, affordable and healthier home in the long run.
The Range of Free Services Offered by Heat Hub
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In-depth retrofit survey assessing heat loss, running costs, and EPC ratings, compiled into a step-by-step plan with costs, savings, detailed drawings & more
Specialised advice for heritage homes and conservation areas
Recommendations for insulation, as well as renewable systems like solar PV panels and low carbon heating like heat pumps.
Offered one-on-one consultations to go over the plan and answer any questions goes here
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Events led by experts, covering topics such as fabric-first insulation
Workshops covering areas such as low carbon technologies, as well as practical DIY skills such as installing Internal Wall Insulation
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Clients received recommendations for trusted installers and met them in-person at impartial advice sessions.
HEAT Hub worked with green energy experts T4 Sustainability, UK Hempcrete and Daikin to deliver these sessions, showcase materials and technologies, advise on grants (Boiler Upgrade Scheme), and address client inquiries.
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Case studies and success stories
Educational mini-guides
Informative blogs and articles
Proven Impact and Long-Term Benefits
In 19-months over 1,980 residents attended workshops and events, 437 retrofit surveys and Future Fit Home Energy Plans were completed, with over 143 energy-saving measures installed or in progress for seventy-nine homes with many more expected post-project.
Even with results on the number of installations still outstanding, the value for money of the HEAT Hub delivery model exceeds the cost by at least 50% of current government grant schemes for the installation of energy saving measures.
Additionally, The HEAT Hub evidenced the potential to generate greater carbon and energy bill savings as householders used their tailored plans and knowledge to implement whole house principles of retrofit and install multiple measures, compared to delivery via Government schemes such as ECO and HUG. Potential carbon savings are seldom achieved on these schemes due to the poor management of the projects, where the focus of the installs tends to be led by the contractor.
For example, a resident in Bunny, Nottinghamshire was interested in organising a community seminar. This event was attended by over 40 homeowners and focused on renewable technologies, with many considering installation for their homes. It also sparked a discussion on potential community renewable energy initiatives, including wind turbines, solar panels and hydro generation to serve their homes. When one person speaks up, it encourages others to take part in the conversation; open discussion and hearing other people’s tangible experiences can be a key component in helping people better understand retrofit.
Event in Bunny, Nottinghamshire
Personalised advice and face-to-face consultation combined with bespoke plans, hands-on workshops, and trusted local contractor connections gave households the confidence to act.
In fact, nearly half of those who received a follow-up consultation went on to install energy-saving measures such as solid wall insulation, solar panels, and air source heat pumps. This enhanced level of support, which enables a more informed householder, should be the benchmark for all residents.
The Future of HEAT Hub
Although HEAT Hub has concluded its role as a demonstrator project, the impact it has made—raising awareness in the self-funding sector and increasing accessibility to retrofit—has been so significant that Nottingham Energy Partnership is looking at additional funding to continue the project and its services. Key strategic players are also considering including the delivery model in local and regional retrofit strategies.
In 2020, the UK Energy Research Centre estimated that almost half of the UK’s 29 million homes would need to be retrofitted to meet the 2050 net zero target. Government schemes like HUG and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme have aimed to encourage retrofitting measures such as insulation and low carbon energy. However, despite these efforts, the rate of retrofit is not on track to meet the goal. To accelerate this transition, it is crucial to address the specific needs of homeowners, especially those with “hard-to-treat” properties.
Informing people, offering appropriate advice, and making them feel supported are key steps we need to take alongside government grants and schemes. Together, we can break down barriers to retrofitting, making the transition to cleaner energy and more comfortable housing easier to navigate.