The Responsive Retrofit pilot was launched in 2023 by Clarion Futures, the charitable foundation of Clarion Housing Group, according to an evaluation published by National Energy Action (NEA) on 6 February 20251. The pilot sought to integrate money guidance with energy-related advice and support, and to minimise fuel poverty among those living in energy inefficient properties until large-scale retrofit works are carried out1.
It provided a range of support that combined money and energy guidance and warm home packs with low-level efficiency measures installed after a holistic home energy assessment1. The evaluation, undertaken by NEA's Research Team and funded by the Fusion21 Foundation, examined the effectiveness and impacts of embedding energy behaviour change advice, money guidance and the installation of small-scale energy efficiency measures over a 12 to 18-month period for tenants1. As well as outcomes for tenants, the evaluation presents key lessons for programme design and delivery, and insights for practice1.
Helen Stockton, Head of Research at National Energy Action, said:
"Our evaluation points to a critical role for social landlords. One that goes beyond just the property. It suggests that services like the Responsive Retrofit pilot can help reshape how tenants see their landlords, as 'more than just a landlord' but also as a source of help and support in other areas too; supporting tenants to live in warmer and safer homes. Our report provides practical insights for social landlords and others developing support for households and highlights the range of impacts that can be achieved when housing, energy and financial support are integrated."
The evaluation report also carries an account from a household interviewee, who said they were worrying less than when they first moved in, and that it was "nice to know I'm not going to get huge bills from sitting at home"1.
Why it matters for households
The pilot's design places advice and small measures ahead of large-scale retrofit, a sequence that reflects the position of many homes in energy inefficient properties where structural work is some way off1. For a household, the combination described here is money guidance alongside energy advice, warm home packs and low-level efficiency measures fitted after an assessment1. That mix addresses running costs and payment problems at the same time as the fabric of the home, rather than treating them separately1.
The evaluation frames social landlords as having a role that goes beyond the property itself, as a source of help in other areas1. For tenants, that can mean support arriving through the organisation that already manages the home, without a separate application route being described in the published material1. The report states that the evaluation examined impacts over a 12 to 18-month period, so the findings cover a defined window rather than the full life of any installed measure1.
The pilot relates to the idea of paying for retrofit against measured performance, which is set out in the site's guide to Metered Energy Savings. Broader funding routes for efficiency work are covered in the grants and schemes hub.
What happens next
The evaluation was published on 6 February 2025 and the summary report is available from National Energy Action1. No further stages, extension or successor programme for the pilot have been reported1.