NEWS
The latest news and updates from Low Carbon Hub
Thinking about getting air conditioning?
Air conditioning cools your home for a few weeks a year, then sits idle. An air-to-air heat pump does the same job for a similar price, but heats your home in winter too. Here’s what it actually costs, and how it’s working out for homeowners already living with it.
What will it take to make your home better?
The tools are there. The information is there. In many cases, the funding is there too. The only thing missing is taking that first step to make your home warmer and more energy efficient.
Energy efficiency and comfort in an 18th century home
I recently visited Julia Shay and Martin Groves, who have lived in their 18th-century thatched cottage in Eynsham for about twelve years. The house is Grade II listed and sits in a conservation area, which has shaped almost every decision they make about improving it. The windows were one of the biggest projects to undertake. […]
How to pay for improving your home
A plain-English guide to paying for home energy improvements in 2026, including what the Warm Homes Plan means for grants, loans, and getting started with retrofit.
An old house with new challenges
They wanted to reduce their energy usage, make the house warmer and well insulated, and possibly replacing their gas boiler with a heat pump.
When home improvements don’t deliver comfort
Renovating your home doesn’t always make it more comfortable. This article explains why some home improvements fall short, and how thinking beyond renovation can improve comfort, air quality, and long-term health.
Warm Homes Plan: what’s new
The Warm Homes Plan promises major investment in home upgrades. Here’s what’s actually new, how the support works, and what it means for cutting bills and improving your home.
Wrap your home in insulation
Insulation is one of the simplest ways to keep your home warm in winter, cool during heatwaves, and cheaper to run. Here’s how to tackle heat loss from the roof down and make your home more comfortable in every season.
Interview with a sustainable homeowner
We recently visited a sustainable homeowner in West Oxfordshire to find out more about the real benefits and challenges of the entire installation process. With three in four Brits wanting to invest in eco-features on their home*1, there’s a growing market for sustainable measures that shows no sign of slowing down soon. Despite this huge […]
How to spot and avoid eco-scams
Don’t let scammers take advantage of your good intentions. Here’s how to protect yourself, stay informed, and find genuine ways to make your home more energy efficient. Ever had an unsolicited phone call from your ‘local energy advisor’? Seen social media adverts for FREE solar panels and batteries (just enter your personal details to check […]
The real cost of a heat pump
Heat pumps are one of the most efficient, low-carbon ways to heat your home – but what do they really cost? This guide explains installation prices, running costs, grants, and practical steps to make sure a heat pump works for your home, your comfort, and your long-term energy savings.
Your Home Retrofit Guide
Retrofit means improving your home so it keeps heat in, stays comfortable, and costs less to run. This practical guide explains what to do first, where to find grants and trusted advice, and how to make the right improvements in the right order — helping you plan a warmer, healthier, more efficient home.
Eco-homes in Oxfordshire
The national housing shortage is a hot topic at the moment, as are the carbon emissions associated with new developments (such as Salt Cross in West Oxfordshire). I recently visited a unique eco-homes project in Eynsham to find out more about how communal living can set a positive precedent. When entering the site of Mike […]