How Smart Retrofit Pilots in Scotland Are Redesigning Existing Homes for the Future
In Scotland, retrofitting existing housing stock isn’t just about insulation and heat pumps anymore — emerging pilots are demonstrating how connected technology, renewable systems and data-led solutions can dramatically improve energy efficiency, resident comfort and affordability. These real-world projects provide a blueprint for housing providers and policymakers to scale smarter, greener homes across both urban and rural communities.
Here’s a closer look at cutting-edge retrofit pilots underway right now in Scotland.
1. Dundee Retrofit Pilot — Monitoring Energy, Air Quality and Comfort
In Dundee, Home Group Scotland has completed a pilot retrofit project in a block of 14 flats, transforming them from EPC ratings C/D to B. The work included:
External wall and cavity insulation
Triple-glazed windows and insulated doors
Loft insulation top-ups
Solar panel installation
Internal air-source heat pumps
Improved ventilation
Crucially, monitoring technology was installed to track energy use, internal temperature, air quality and CO₂ levels. This data-driven approach helps housing providers better understand how retrofit measures perform in residents’ everyday lives and informs broader net-zero strategies.
Why it matters: Beyond efficiency upgrades, the data collection element turns these homes into living labs for retrofit performance evaluation.
Read more here
2. Kelvin Court, Kirkintilloch — Award-Winning Energy Efficiency Retrofit
At Kelvin Court in Kirkintilloch, Hanover Scotland led one of Scotland’s most celebrated retrofit projects, upgrading 35 sheltered flats with a mix of technologies:
Solar photovoltaic (PV) installations
High heat retention storage heaters
Triple-glazed windows
External and cavity wall insulation
The outcome was significant: carbon emissions reduced by over 65 tonnes annually, and resident energy costs dropped substantially. This project also won Large Scale Project of the Year at the Scottish Energy Efficiency Awards 2025 — testament not only to the scale of the intervention but also to its real-world impact on wellbeing and fuel bills.
Why it matters: This retrofit balances technology and human outcomes, making homes warmer and more affordable to heat.
Read more here
3. Smart Storage Heating Retrofit — Connected Heating Across 345 Homes
A Scotland-wide pilot led by Trust Housing Association is upgrading 345 socially rented homes equipped with Connected Response (HeatSage) technology.
This innovation means:
Existing electric storage heaters are made smarter
Local weather forecasts automatically guide charging times
Heating output adjusts to colder or milder days
Homes maintain comfort without unnecessary energy use
The project targets households most at risk of fuel poverty and aims for up to 60% reductions in energy costs by synchronising heating with renewable generation and weather conditions.
Why it matters: Instead of installing new heating hardware everywhere, this solution upgrades existing systems cost-effectively with smart controls — an important strategy where full system replacements aren’t yet viable.
4. Whole House Retrofit Pilots: Edinburgh & Beyond
Local authorities and councils are using retrofit pilots as testbeds for scalable solutions:
Edinburgh Retrofit Monitor
In Edinburgh, nine homes have been fully upgraded and are now undergoing performance monitoring to analyse energy use, resident comfort and cost savings.
Arbroath Retrofit Project
Hillcrest Homes is undertaking a proof-of-concept whole-house retrofit across 23 homes. Each property is gaining:
Air-source heat pumps
Solar PV + battery storage
External wall insulation
Double-glazed doors and windows
The aim is to lift EPC ratings and help tenants save an estimated £1,000 per year on fuel costs.
Why These Pilots Matter for Housing Technology Strategy
Scotland’s retrofit pilots show several clear trends:
Data-led evaluation — monitoring installed systems generates insights that can shape policy and investment.
Technology integration — from PV panels to sensor-based heating controls, pilots aren’t one-dimensional.
Fuel-poverty focus — many projects are explicitly designed to reduce energy costs and improve household wellbeing.
Blueprints for scale — each pilot offers replicable lessons for larger portfolios or national programmes.
What these projects share is a shift from one-off upgrades to smart, measurable, people-centric technology adoption— a trend that will define Scottish housing innovation for the next decade.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Scotland’s Retrofit Revolution
While pilots to date highlight big wins, many housing providers are exploring:
Broader digital integration with connected home sensors and IoT platforms
Tenant empowerment tools that allow residents to monitor and control their home systems
Optimised retrofit pathways tailored by building type, geography and occupant needs
These are exciting steps forward — and Scotland’s retrofit pilots already offer a solid foundation for collaborative innovation.