Resource

LEAD method summary: Home visits

Visiting people in their homes to better understand their circumstances and provide face-to-face advice.

Briefing note

Good practice

Provided by: South West Net Zero Hub

This resource is hosted externally - access it here

Part of: LEAD programme: Local Energy Advice Demonstrator

Topics

Capability and skills Community Public consultation and public engagement Domestic retrofit measures Public awareness

The Local Energy Advice Demonstrator (LEAD) programme trialled innovative approaches for delivering retrofit advice to hard-to-reach groups and hard-to-treat homes. This resource provides a summary of insights into one of the methods trialled by the South West Net Zero Hub within one or several of its six projects.

Home visits: How the method works

Home visits offer personalised, face-to-face energy advice, especially valuable for vulnerable households who may struggle to access other support. Typically arranged via referrals from partner organisations, visits are carried out by trained advisors – staff or volunteers – who assess the home’s condition, heating systems, energy use, and any health-related needs. Advisors provide tailored recommendations and may install low-cost measures like draughtproofing. Follow-up support can include help accessing grants, resolving landlord or supplier issues, or securing benefits. Though resource-intensive, home visits are an effective way to deliver practical, hands-on assistance where it’s most needed.

Consult the full LEAD method summary on home visits – linked above and below – for information on why the method works and what you’ll need, as well as an accompanying case study and top tips should you wish to use this method. To finish off, there is also a list of additional resources, such as webinars, online courses, and any other tools or guidance relevant to this method.