About RetroNetZero
The RetroNetZero Regulatory Science and Innovation Network (RSIN) received funding from Innovate UK to explore how regulation could support the adoption of new products and approaches for improving existing homes.
This feasibility study, published in June 2025, examined one of the challenge themes identified by project stakeholders: how regulation could better encourage retrofit innovations that deliver wider benefits for residents.
How can regulation support the wider benefits of retrofit?
Home improvements can achieve more than energy and carbon savings. They can also improve indoor air quality and help homes stay comfortable during hot weather. These wider benefits are often called retrofit co-benefits.
The study explored whether the regulations and regulatory tools reviewed at the time adequately supported these benefits. It also considered how regulatory science, which uses research and evidence to inform regulation, could help innovative products and solutions demonstrate their value.
What does the study explore?
The study considered how regulation could encourage retrofit innovations that deliver wider benefits. Through stakeholder engagement, it identified thermal comfort and indoor air quality as priorities, alongside reducing the risk of damp and mould.
It then examined the regulatory landscape in 2025 to identify gaps and opportunities for further research. This included exploring how evidence about real-world performance could help assess whether improvements deliver the intended benefits for residents.
Who is this report for?
This report is useful for people developing retrofit products and approaches, as well as those working on policy or standards. Researchers and organisations assessing the wider benefits of home improvements will also find relevant insights.
Read the feasibility study
Published in June 2025, the report presents the research findings and regulatory context considered at that time.
Read the study to explore the opportunities it identified for supporting retrofit innovation through regulation.
This report was led by the National Retrofit Hub, as part of the RetroNetZero RS&IN (Retrofit Net-Zero Buildings – Regulatory Science and Innovation Network for unlocking adoption of innovation) project, which is funded by Innovate UK: Regulatory Science & Innovation Networks (Project 10139469).
The consortium, led by BRE includes National Retrofit Hub, Construction Products Association, National Energy Foundation, Constructing Excellence and PlanetMark
Frequently asked questions
Innovate UK funded RetroNetZero, a Regulatory Science and Innovation Network. It explored how regulation could support innovative products and approaches for improving existing homes. The retrofit co-benefits study formed part of this work.
Regulatory science uses research and evidence to help regulators develop and apply regulations. For retrofit, this can include developing testing methods or gathering evidence to assess how well a new product performs in people’s homes.
Retrofit co-benefits are the wider benefits of improving existing homes, alongside energy and carbon savings. For example, home upgrades can improve indoor air quality or reduce overheating. However, achieving these benefits depends on how people design and carry out the work.
