Unlocking retrofit uptake through community champions

Unlocking retrofit uptake through community champions is delivered by SEI York, based at the University of York, in partnership with York Community Energy and Abundance Investment.

• York Community Energy leads community engagement, including the recruitment, training and support of community champions. Champions will help raise awareness of retrofit, share relatable experiences and signpost residents to further information and support.
• Abundance Investment brings expertise in accessible finance models that can help address upfront cost barriers and support wider retrofit uptake, particularly among middle-income households.
• The SEI team, based at the University of York, brings together expertise from the research areas of Inclusive citizen science and Air quality, climate and environmental change, as well as Communications, and will use behavioural insights and mapping to identify where engagement is likely to be most effective, understand how early adopters can build wider momentum, and explore how the model could be adapted for other places.

The project is funded through the Carbon Negative Challenge Fund, awarded by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and Mayor David Skaith.

Heat Pump Café marks project launch

The project officially launched at the Heat Pump Café on 21 May 2026, bringing together more than 30 people interested in home energy upgrades. Held at Melbourne Terrace Methodist Church Hall in York, the event focused on heat pumps and featured talks from a local installer as well as conversations with heat pump owners about their experiences, including tips on reducing running costs with time-of-use tariffs. The event sparked practical discussions about home energy upgrades and how local residents can support others in making their homes warmer, healthier, and cheaper to run.