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Smarter Homes Hub to help Richmond residents retrofit homes

Fahad Redha

March 23, 2026
3 min read

Smarter Homes Hub to help Richmond residents retrofit homes

Richmond Council has announced the new Smarter Homes Hub, an “extensive” how-to guide to retrofit homes and make them “more comfortable, greener, and cheaper to run.”

“Residents told us they want clearer and more accessible advice about retrofitting and improving home energy use.” Councillor Julia Neden-Watts, Chair of the Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee. “The Smarter Homes Hub and accompanying Handbook can guide residents on this journey – whether they are interested in small changes to improve everyday comfort, or large-scale renovations to future-proof their home.”

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The Smarter Homes Hub provides information on planning, insulation, ventilation, heat pumps, solar panels and batteries, as well as stories of residents in the borough who have upgraded their homes. It also provides more detailed information on areas including financial support and estimated payback periods for certain upgrades, along with information on planning permission and advice for those living in conservation areas.

“Warmer rooms in winter, cooler spaces in summer, lower energy bills and healthier indoor air are all benefits of retrofitting our homes,” Councillor Neden-Watts added. “These changes also play an important role in reducing carbon emissions, supporting Richmond’s wider ambition to become a Net Zero borough by 2043.”

Richmond Council says it is “partnering with trusted suppliers to offer residents clean energy discounts and grants, in addition to government incentives.” Residents in the borough who buy solar panels or batteries via Make My House Green can get £500 off the cost of the insulation, while Ecofurb offers tailored retrofitting advice via a free online tool, as well as 15% of detailed retrofit plans for the borough’s residents.

Later this year, further guidance on planning permission for retrofit projects will be published to complete a “trio of materials” to support people “in any stage of their retrofit journey.”

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About Author

Fahad Redha

Fahad is the Content Editor at EyeOnLondon, overseeing the publication’s editorial output across news, culture, and lifestyle. With a background in journalism from the University of the Creative Arts, he brings a broad range of experience from local London reporting in Kensington & Chelsea, where he held roles including motoring, events, and health editor. At EyeOnLondon, Fahad plays a central role in shaping content and maintaining editorial standards. His work spans everything from daily news to feature coverage, with a particular strength in motoring and events. He also incorporates photography into his reporting, adding a visual layer to many of his stories. Fahad joined EyeOnLondon in February 2021.