Lewes Home Retrofit Guide launch for building professionals

Thursday 21 November, 6-9pm, Lewes Climate Hub, 32 High Street, BN7 2LU

Building professionals and homeowners are warmly invited to drinks and nibbles for the launch of the Lewes Home Retrofit Guide. It’s an opportunity to meet the guide’s authors and network with others to see how retrofit to make homes more energy efficient can be encouraged in Lewes and beyond. To attend, please email

About the guide

The Lewes Retrofit Guide gives practical, expert advice on ‘retrofitting’ almost any type of home in Lewes to make it more energy efficient, cosier, and cheaper to heat.

Using detailed drawings, the guide sets out the principles of best practice in retrofit. It explains how to limit draughts, install insulation to different building elements, control ventilation and minimise the risk of condensation. It aims to develop understanding between building professionals and householders about making a plan to improve almost any kind of house.

Taking a ‘fabric first’, whole house approach, the guide also includes information about installing heat pumps, solar panels, and sustainable drainage, as well as planning and building control. There is plenty of information on grants and loans to help finance the work.

The event will also be of interest to anyone embarking on a house retrofit. There will be short presentations, and printed copies of the guide will be available to read or buy. You can already read it online at https://lewesclimatehub.org/lewes-home-retrofit-guide

The authors

The principal authors of the guide are Suzy Nelson, a retired architect planner, and Ann Link, who retrofitted her own home in 2009. Ian McKay, a local architect and founder of sustainability consultants Deeper Green, supplied detailed drawings on insulation methods. It has been beautifully designed by Lynda Durrant of Full Circle Design, who directs all the graphic design for Lewes Climate Hub.

Suzy and Ann say their vision is for every home in Lewes to be affordable to run, comfortable, and healthy to live in – contributing to the local goal of generating ‘net zero’ carbon emissions across the district by 2030.