Supporting householders along their retrofit journey, from initial engagement and advice all the way to post-installation support.
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.
Multi-stage advice: How the method works
This approach integrates various methods to guide households through the retrofit process. It begins with initial engagement – via outreach, marketing, or referrals – tailored to the audience. Early advice may be offered online, by phone, or in person. Households able to self-fund or access grants are encouraged to undertake a full retrofit assessment. Follow-up after six months can help overcome barriers or prompt action. Support may include help with installer selection, quote reviews, or on-site supervision. Post-installation advice ensures households benefit fully from new technologies, especially heat pumps and smart systems, and is vital for older or digitally excluded residents.
Consult the full LEAD method summary on multi-stage advice – linked above and below – for information on why the method works and what you’ll need, as well as accompanying case studies 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.