To reach net zero, the UK must urgently scale up home energy retrofit. However, traditional retrofit programmes have struggled to achieve mass adoption. Many programmes focus on one barrier to retrofitting, like cost or supply chain, in isolation, rather than take an interconnected approach. 

The MCS Foundation funded the Leeds Retrofit Accelerator to support the development and testing of a joined-up, community centred model to scale up retrofit. This model addresses policy, finance, supply chain, and demand simultaneously. This has helped build a clear roadmap for how local authorities and partners can make retrofit a mainstream choice across the UK. 

The project brought together a wide cross sector partnership, including local authorities, financial institutions, energy suppliers and technical experts to co-design and test a new retrofit delivery model. 

The initiative progressed through four main stages: 

• Market and model research. The project team reviewed existing literature to define the core components of a successful retrofit service, such as trusted single points of contact, tailored home designs, accessible finance and local marketing. 

• Prototype co-design. In collaboration with industry and community partners, Leeds City Council developed a new business model, delivery framework, and customer journey. 

• Local focus group testing. The next step was to test the prototype with residents in Chapel Allerton, Leeds, gathering direct feedback on messaging, financial options, and delivery methods. 

• Systems and behaviour analysis. Finally, the project team investigated the behavioural and systemic shifts required to transition retrofit from a niche market to a standard household decision. 

Key outcomes and insights 

The research highlighted that scaling home retrofit requires a joined-up approach. To overcome barriers and unlock long term demand, the project demonstrated that future retrofit initiatives should be: 

• Designed around homeowner priorities, putting people at the heart of decision making. 

• Delivered through trusted, accessible local services and social networks. 

• Built to maximise social value and total return on investment for both public and private funds. 

By demonstrating the value of a joined-up, place-based approach in Leeds, this project provides vital insights that will help local authorities, policymakers, and industry partners build scalable retrofit solutions across the UK.