How Devon Can Achieve Its Carbon Plan Goals Through Home Renovations and Smart Construction

The Devon Carbon Plan is a comprehensive list of strategies required to achieve net-zero emissions in Devon. From the outset, the creators of this plan indicated the need for full cooperation from all sectors of Devon’s society, including homeowners. The Plan aims for a 50% reduction by 2030 and net-zero carbon by 2050. Thus far, Devon’s emissions have decreased by around 29% since 2010, with a drop of up to 4% between 2022 and 2023. However, while it is over halfway to its 2030 goals, it still isn’t where it needs to be. One area homeowners, in particular, can focus on to do their share is the part of the plan covering the built environment. After all, buildings and outdoor lighting accounted for around 38% of Devon’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2019, with a similar share from commercial and residential buildings. 

The Need to Retrofit Existing Houses

Retrofitting existing houses is one of four changes needed to achieve net-zero in Devon’s built environment, the other three being retrofitting existing commercial premises, constructing new net-zero buildings, and minimising energy use through amenity lighting. In terms of home retrofitting, Devon requires a high uptake of energy-efficient measures, renewable energy, and low-carbon heating technologies across its over 580,000 homes. The government’s target is for as many houses as possible to fall within Band C (“Good” standard) of the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) by 2035. To achieve this, around two-thirds of Devon’s homes will need to be upgraded over the next 15 years, which is 25,500 homes per year – that’s five times faster than Devon is currently installing cavity wall insulation. According to Devon Climate Emergency, Devon needs to go beyond the Government’s target and aim to retrofit every home to as close to Band A (“Very efficient”) standards as possible by 2050. 

Strategies to Embrace

To help Devon homes do their share toward achieving the Plan’s goals, a multifaceted approach is needed. The first step is to reduce energy demand through home insulation. Insulation targets include insulating all cavity walls by 2030, insulating 36,000 solid walls by 2030, and insulating 109,000 by 2050. Next, heating must be decarbonised by 2050. In order to achieve this goal, Devon would require 344,000 heat pumps, 91,000 homes on district heating networks, and 146,000 using hydrogen, hybrid heat pumps, or biomass boilers. Homeowners can also do their share by switching appliances, such as cookers, to electric (this would need to be achieved by 2030). Older homes may need more extensive work, including consumer unit upgrades. In some cases, there may also be a need to rewire houses to safely accommodate low-carbon heating systems, electric appliances, and other electrification measures. 

Strategies for New Buildings

To meet ambitious carbon-reduction goals, it is vital to use existing buildings and invest in renovation rather than demolition and new construction. When new buildings are constructed, however, both the construction process and operation of these buildings need to be net-zero without delay. New builds must be highly energy-efficient and rely on low-carbon heat sources from the outset to avoid costly renovations later. Research has shown, for instance, that building a zero-carbon home is five times less expensive than retrofitting it later. Of course, building energy-efficient homes is one thing; supporting occupants to use new buildings and technologies is another. Home dwellers are more likely to use energy responsibly if they reap economic rewards via time-of-use tariffs, grants or rebates for efficient behaviour, and carbon prices or energy taxes that discourage waste. The government can support citizens in various ways, including providing maintenance contracts, setting up local advice centres or retrofit hubs, and establishing helplines or community energy advisor groups. These measures can help address poor user behaviour, incorrect settings, or a lack of understanding of energy systems. 

Achieving the Devon Carbon Plan’s net-zero targets will require large-scale retrofitting of existing homes, widespread electrification of heating and appliances, and substantial upgrades to building infrastructure and user behaviour. While technological solutions such as insulation, heat pumps, and low-carbon heating systems are key, their effectiveness depends on supportive policy frameworks, financial incentives, and occupant engagement. Without accelerated action across these areas, Devon is unlikely to meet its 2030 and 2050 climate targets, demonstrating the urgent need for coordinated efforts from policymakers, industry, and homeowners.