“They are grinding us into the ground” – The lived experience of (in)energy justice amongst low-income older households

•Explores retrofits as capability enhancing mechanisms.•Investigates social practices as functionings or enactments of capabilities.•Reveals energy justice on four levels of social relationships on the home stage.•Provides evidence of the multi-dimensional vulnerability of older householders.•Advocates for minimum standards to protect people who lack capabilities and agency.