Glasgow is at a turning point. With a goal to reach Net-Zero by 2030, our city’s iconic but drafty sandstone tenements and gas-heated homes need a massive upgrade. Currently, 82% of Glasgow homes rely on gas, and 35% of our neighbors are facing fuel poverty.
The Glasgow Housing Retrofit Position Statement (2025) highlights a clear solution: the “One-Stop Shop” model. Leading this charge is Loco Home Retrofit, a community-owned co-operative helping Glaswegians transform their homes from energy-wasters into cosy, efficient spaces.

Why Energy Efficiency in Glasgow is Stagnating
Despite a 50% drop in city emissions since 2006, progress has stalled. Why? Because retrofitting a pre-1919 tenement isn’t as simple as sticking up some insulation.
Nearly half of Glasgow’s housing stock is classified as having poor energy efficiency. To meet our 2030 targets, we need to move away from “quick fixes” and toward Whole-Home Retrofit Plans.
Glasgow’s Energy Challenge by the Numbers:
- 330,000: Total homes needing upgrades.
- 272,000: Homes still heated by fossil fuel gas.
- Only 3%: Of homes currently meet modern retrofit standards.
- 28%: Of Glasgow’s total carbon footprint comes from our houses.
Our Expert Services:
| Service | Best For… | What You Get |
| Whole Home Plan | Homeowners | Jargon-free advice to identify your goals. A professional 4-hour survey and report with a prioritised roadmap. |
| Heat Pump Plan | Upgraders | Detailed heat-loss calculations for perfect system sizing. |
| Whole Tenement Plan | Neighbors | A coordinated strategy for entire blocks of flats. |
Solving the Tenement Dilemma
If you live in one of Glasgow’s 70,000 sandstone tenements, you know the struggle: “breathable” stone requires specialist care. Using the wrong materials can cause damp, rot, and structural damage.
Loco Home: Your Stress-Free Path to a Warmer Home
We know that managing contractors and grants is overwhelming. We’re here to help with a three-phase journey:
- Planning: A bespoke whole home plan with cost and saving estimates.
- Implementation: We connect you to vetted, local Glasgow installers and ensure you know the funding that you’re entitled to.
- Completion: Quality control checks to ensure the job was done right.
Building a Greener Economy
When you work with a community-led co-operative, your money stays in your local economy. We focus on Community Wealth Building.
Ready to take control of your energy bills?
How to Retrofit Your Glasgow Home: A Guide to Lower Bills and Net-Zero Living

Glasgow is at a turning point. With a goal to reach Net-Zero by 2030, our city’s iconic but drafty sandstone tenements and gas-heated homes need a massive upgrade. Currently, 82% of Glasgow homes rely on gas, and 35% of our neighbors are facing fuel poverty. The Glasgow Housing Retrofit Position Statement (2025) highlights a clear…
Keeping the Heat in: A Realist's Guide to Lowering Scottish Energy Bills
Let’s be honest. Living in Scotland means we’re often fighting a losing battle against the weather. We have some of the least efficient housing in Europe, and when you combine 100-year-old stone walls with a damp, freezing winter, your heating bill starts to look like a phone number (or you are under-heating your home and…
Inspired by Guy Martin's home without bills?

If you’ve watched Guy Martin’s Home Without Bills on Channel 4 on Monday evening, you’ll have witnessed how an existing home can be transformed and made more efficient. If you’re based in Scotland and thinking about making your home more efficient, Loco Home Retrofit is a great place to start! Hear from our Founder, Chris…
ScotGov shouldn't Be Waiting for Westminster to take action on cold homes

Chris Carus, Managing Director, Loco Home Retrofit CIC January has seen householders across Scotland digging themselves out of snowdrifts. While layering up against the chill, I’m been waiting for the imminent release of Westminster’s Warm Homes Plan. This plan which will show how they will make homes warmer across Britain. Most of it will apply to England…
How To Heat your Home Efficiently: The Ultimate Guide To Lowering Bills

There are many factors that affect how much it costs to heat a home. We explain some of the best ways to be comfortable and save money based on our experience with hundreds of customers and input from our 300 members. We’ve split this guide into two sections. First, we’ll cover how to make heat…
Moving Beyond "Fabric First": A Pragmatic Approach to Scottish Decarbonisation

At Loco Home, we believe that accelerating decarbonisation requires not just technical expertise, but the courage to challenge established industry norms when they no longer serve the urgency of the climate crisis. Recently, Loco Home’s Supply Chain Manager, Angus Brodnax, returned to his alma mater, the renowned Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) in Wales. A…

