Loco Home recently met with the CEO and governing board of Ofgem (GEMA) in Glasgow to discuss domestic energy retrofit, outline Loco Home’s approach to consumer protection and bringing down the cost of net zero, and share insight Loco Home has gained through working with householders across the Glasgow City Region.

The visit included a presentation from our team and site visits to the homes of two Loco Home members: one a Victorian house with a heat pump, and the other visit to a traditional Glasgow tenement.

Loco Home spoke about the co-operative’s mission – to make better retrofit more accessible by combining practical innovation, community engagement, and whole home plans in a community-led one stop shop.

We highlighted key challenges facing the sector including consumer protection for heat pumps, the lack of enabling policy for tenement flats, and the shortage of skilled insulation contractors. We also highlighted Loco Home’s distinct approach to home retrofit – our whole home plan which provides a bespoke, sequenced and holistic programme of recommendations. Our one stop shop approach supports all homeowners regardless of circumstances, connecting them with all available funding and local contractors from our trusted network.

The board saw firsthand how independent technical surveys and whole home plans can help homeowners make the right upgrade decision, avoiding regrets and unnecessary costs. In the tenement, the Board engaged with issues around shared spaces, overdue repairs, and the need for legislation to enable collective action.

Chris Carus, Loco Home Chief Executive said: “Loco Home’s work demonstrates how local one-stop-shops can accelerate the move to net zero, protect consumers and build local prosperity”..

We’re encouraged by Ofgem’s interest and look forward to continuing the conversation on how to scale solutions that work—home by home and street by street.”

Jonathan Brearley, Chief Executive at Ofgem, said:

“Initiatives like Loco Home are vital in tackling the challenge of energy efficiency in our homes—something that directly impacts people’s energy bills and quality of life. I was impressed by the work being done and appreciated the opportunity to visit Loco Home members’ homes, including those of Ofgem colleagues, to see firsthand the positive changes being made.”